Astrophysicists using the NASA James Webb Space Telescope have made groundbreaking discoveries about teenage galaxies dating back to the first 2-3 billion years after the Big Bang. They found that these galaxies demonstrate unexpectedly high temperatures and contain elements such as nickel and oxygen, which are typically challenging to observe. This research is a part of the CECILIA Survey, offering remarkable insights into the early stages of galactic development.
The study conducted by a team of astrophysicists at Northwestern University was published on November 20th, 2023, in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The research focused on analyzing first results from the CECILIA Survey, a program utilizing the NASA James Webb Space Telescope to study the chemistry of distant galaxies.
Using the JWST, the program unexpectedly revealed that teenage galaxies exhibit elements like nickel and oxygen, which are typically tricky to observe. To illustrate, the data from 23 distant galaxies was analyzed, revealing these fascinating findings.
The CECILIA Survey aims to understand how galaxies evolved over cosmic history, contemplating the growth and transformations that took place over the last 14 billion years. By comparing a galaxy’s spectrum to its “chemical DNA,” researchers can gain a profound understanding of its growth and anticipated evolution. The teenage years of a galaxy are considered the most pivotal period for growth and change, providing key insights into its future evolution.
Observing these teenage galaxies can provide critical evidence of the different temperatures and chemistries that existed when these galaxies were younger. In addition to higher-than-expected temperatures, the data surprisingly indicated the presence of unusual elements such as nickel. The study was supported by NASA, the Pittsburgh Foundation, and the Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement.
