Produced by: Tarun Mishra
The James Webb Space Telescope has facilitated the discovery of GN-z11, a galaxy hailed as one of the youngest and most distant ever observed, announced the Space Telescope Science Institute.
GN-z11 was observed as it existed when the universe was merely 420 million years old, providing a glimpse into the cosmos during its infancy.
Apart from its age and distance, GN-z11 stands out for its remarkable brightness, prompting researchers to delve deeper into its unique characteristics.
Scientists speculate that the galaxy's extraordinary luminosity may be attributed to the presence of Population III stars, a rare type believed to be the universe's first stellar inhabitants.
Population III stars, composed solely of hydrogen and helium, remain elusive, with no definitive detections thus far. However, observations from the Webb telescope offer compelling evidence for their existence.
A team of researchers studying GN-z11 detected a gaseous clump of helium in the galaxy's halo, providing crucial insights into its composition and evolutionary history.
The presence of pristine gas, devoid of heavier chemical elements, hints at the potential formation of Population III star clusters within the galaxy's outskirts.
Population III stars are regarded as the universe's inaugural stellar generation, characterized by their immense size, luminosity, and elemental composition devoid of metals.
Unravelling the mysteries surrounding Population III stars represents a pivotal milestone in modern astrophysics, offering invaluable insights into the cosmic evolution and the origins of light in the universe.