On January 22, 2025, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected emissions from the galaxy GHZ2, located over 13 billion light-years away. This discovery provides a rare opportunity to study the universe just 400 million years after the Big Bang.
GHZ2, also known as GLASS-z12, is one of the most distant galaxies observed, with a redshift of z=12.333. The emissions detected mark a significant milestone, allowing scientists to investigate galaxy formation during the universe's early stages.
This achievement is a result of collaboration between JWST and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). JWST's advanced infrared technology enabled the detection of faint emissions, while ALMA's capabilities in millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths provided detailed insights into these signals.
GHZ2 is currently undergoing intense star formation, possessing a mass hundreds of millions of times that of the Sun. The galaxy is likely creating short-lived, massive stars, offering valuable data on star formation under extreme early universe conditions.
Additionally, GHZ2 exhibits low metallicity, indicating a composition of simpler materials and fewer heavy elements like carbon and oxygen. This finding provides a glimpse into the cosmic conditions preceding the formation of more complex elements.
The discovery of GHZ2 enhances understanding of galaxy evolution and the early universe, informing future research on cosmic structure formation. According to Tom Bakx from Chalmers University, these findings will significantly influence ongoing studies.
This milestone signals the beginning of a new era in astronomy. With the ongoing capabilities of JWST and ALMA, astronomers will continue to explore distant galaxies, revealing deeper insights into the universe's infancy.
The emissions from GHZ2 not only represent a crucial advancement in space exploration but also expand the potential for studying the formation of stars, galaxies, and the elements that constitute the universe.