Of course, it’s one thing to break records for identifying ancient and distant galaxies, but there’s also the question of their composition. It is worth noting that shortly after the Big Bang, the universe was composed almost entirely of hydrogen. It was accompanied by small amounts of helium, minimal lithium and traces of beryllium.
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Over time, the number of elements began to increase, among other things due to their composition inside massive stars. When these objects later died, for example in supernova explosions, the components they produced were scattered across space, providing it with new resources.
Within the JADES project (JWST Advanced Extragalactic Deep Survey) Astronomers analyzed the sky in search of the first galaxies in history. One aspect of the research was the issue of metallicity, that is, the presence of elements heavier than helium in these bodies.
Observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope suggest that a galaxy that formed about 350 million years after the Big Bang contains elements that should not be there.
In this case, the story turns out to be particularly strange, because we are talking about a galaxy that formed about 350 million years after the Big Bang. Carbon was detected in its composition, and members of the research team do not rule out the presence of oxygen and neon. The results have been presented so far In advance edition formso it will be worth waiting for the opinions of the scientific world, but the first conclusions are really interesting.
The information from the authors is surprising, primarily because it contradicts existing knowledge about the so-called tertiary population of stars. Basically, they are hypothetical and were created before the galaxies were born. The third group of stars consists of hydrogen, helium, and small amounts of lithium.
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Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope and, above all, the NIRSpec instrument on board, scientists have been able to determine the surprisingly high carbon content in a distant galaxy. On the one hand, we can talk about turning the world of astronomy upside down, but on the other hand, we must remember that the stars of the third group have so far only had a theoretical character.
The likely source of carbon in this distant galaxy may be its supermassive black hole. Moreover, astronomers do not rule out the involvement of a so-called AGB star, i.e. a low-mass red giant. The problem is that such objects should not exist 350 million years after the Big Bang. Therefore, scientists are confused and unable to answer the question of where local coal came from. However, they know that the universe still holds many mysteries for us, and the James Webb Space Telescope will help solve them.
Echo Richards embodies a personality that is a delightful contradiction: a humble musicaholic who never brags about her expansive knowledge of both classic and contemporary tunes. Infuriatingly modest, one would never know from a mere conversation how deeply entrenched she is in the world of music. This passion seamlessly translates into her problem-solving skills, with Echo often drawing inspiration from melodies and rhythms. A voracious reader, she dives deep into literature, using stories to influence her own hardcore writing. Her spirited advocacy for alcohol isn’t about mere indulgence, but about celebrating life’s poignant moments.
