Oxygen discovery in distant galaxy challenges cosmic theories
The cosmos conceals many mysteries, and recent discoveries astonish even specialists. Researchers have detected oxygen in the most distant known galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0. Two independent research teams achieved this using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). "It is like finding an adolescent where you would only expect babies," commented one of the researchers.
Scientists made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying oxygen in the most distant known galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0. Two independent research teams, using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), confirmed the presence of this element, prompting a reconsideration of current theories about the pace of galaxy evolution.
A new look at galaxy evolution
According to the European Southern Observatory (ESO), two independent teams of astronomers detected oxygen in the most distant of the known galaxies - JADES-GS-z14-0. It is situated 12.3 billion light-years from Earth. We observe it at a time when the universe was merely 300 million years old. The presence of oxygen in this galaxy signifies that its chemical composition evolved more swiftly than existing models anticipated.
"It is like finding an adolescent where you would only expect babies" - stated Sander Schouws from the Leiden Observatory, the lead author of a paper to be published in "The Astrophysical Journal." The research results indicate that the galaxy formed rapidly and matured quickly, adding to evidence for faster-than-expected galaxy formation.
"The galaxy is already mature in the infant universe"
ESO experts explain that galaxies generally begin life full of young stars, primarily composed of light elements such as hydrogen and helium. Only as stars evolve do they create heavier elements, including oxygen, which disperse throughout the galaxy after a star dies.
It was previously believed that at the age of 300 million years, the universe was still too young to possess galaxies abundant in heavy elements. However, recent studies indicate that JADES-GS-z14-0 has about 10 times more than expected.
"I was astonished by the unexpected results because they opened a new view on the first phases of galaxy evolution," said Stefano Carniani from the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, the lead author of an article accepted for publication in "Astronomy & Astrophysics." "The evidence that a galaxy is already mature in the infant universe raises questions about when and how galaxies formed."
Distance of the galaxy from Earth
The discovery of oxygen also allowed for precise determination of the galaxy's distance from Earth with an accuracy of 0.005%. "This level of precision – analogous to being accurate within 5 cm over a distance of 1 km – helps refine our understanding of distant galaxy properties," stated Eleonora Parlanti, co-author of the publication in "Astronomy & Astrophysics."
The JADES-GS-z14-0 galaxy was initially discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), but it was ALMA that confirmed and accurately established its vast distance.
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This highlights the remarkable collaboration between ALMA and JWST in revealing the formation and development of the earliest galaxies, points out Prof. Rychard Bouwens from the Leiden Observatory.
