The James Webb Space Telescope does not stop at its achievements. This time, with its use, it was possible to observe GLASS-z13, which is 100 million years older than the current record holder.
Previously, the nickname for the oldest known galaxy belonged to GN-Z11, which now has to recognize the superiority of GLASS-z13. This is because it is about 100 million years older than it, and was created only 300 million years after the Big Bang. And if you think this is the end of the record-breaking, it’s certainly worthwhile that astronomers – using the support of the James Webb Space Telescope – intend to look further into the universe’s past.
Of course, what the researchers noticed is an image that dates back billions of years. So there’s a chance that the GLASS-z13 will look completely different now, or maybe it just doesn’t exist anymore. This galaxy has a mass of about a billion suns. According to astronomers, this value is in line with what would be expected from an object whose age is about 13.5 billion years.
The image of the galaxy GLASS-z13 shows the universe only 300 million years after the Big Bang
If we compare both very old galaxies, that is, the newly discovered galaxy and the current standard carrier, and compare their diameters with the dimensions of the Milky Way, we will notice very significant differences. While our galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter, GLASS-z13 and GLASS-z11 are much smaller: they are about 1,600 light-years in diameter and 2,300 light-years in diameter, respectively. Interestingly, due to the expansion of the universe, the actual distance between Earth and GLASS-z13 is about 33 billion light-years.
We’ve found two very compelling candidates for extremely distant galaxies. If these galaxies are as far away as we think, then the universe is only a few hundred million years old at this point.Rohan Naidoo, Harvard University
Read also: A galaxy from the beginning of the universe amazes astronomers
In other words, astronomers look at a picture of the universe right after the Big Bang. Given the fact that the James Webb Space Telescope debuted a little over a week ago, we can expect even more amazing images that it will be able to provide. Incidentally, the announcements that the new NASA telescope was supposed to provide the deepest insight into the history of the universe were confirmed.
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.
