Oxygen Detected in Ancient Galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0, Rewriting Early Universe Models

Astronomers have detected oxygen in JADES-GS-z14-0, the most distant galaxy known, dating back to 300 million years after the Big Bang. Observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) confirmed the presence of oxygen, challenging previous assumptions that such early galaxies lacked heavy elements. The galaxy exhibits ten times more heavy elements than expected, suggesting rapid formation and evolution. This discovery prompts a reevaluation of galaxy formation models in the early universe, indicating a faster maturation process than previously thought. The findings, detailed in *Astronomy & Astrophysics* and *The Astrophysical Journal*, highlight the synergy between ALMA and the James Webb Space Telescope in exploring cosmic dawn.