Galaxies in the Early Universe Were Chaotic and Turbulent

Strategic Insights -

Astronomers have captured the most detailed look yet at the formation of galaxies just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang, revealing that they were far more chaotic and messy than those we see today. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was used to analyze over 250 young galaxies that existed between 800 million and 1.5 billion years old. The research found that most galaxies were turbulent, 'clumpy' systems that had not yet settled into smooth rotating disks like our own Milky Way. The findings suggest that galaxies gradually became calmer and more ordered as the universe evolved.

Key Takeaways:

  • The JWST captured the most detailed look yet at the formation of galaxies just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.
  • Over 250 young galaxies were analyzed, revealing that most were turbulent, 'clumpy' systems that had not yet settled into smooth rotating disks.
  • The galaxies were found to be chaotic and messy, with star formation and gravitational instabilities stirring up turbulence.
  • The research suggests that galaxies gradually became calmer and more ordered as the universe evolved.
  • The findings help bridge the gap between the epoch of reionisation and the so-called cosmic noon, when star formation peaked.
  • The research was supported in part by the Royal Society, the European Union, and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
  • JWST is an international partnership between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
  • The data for this result were captured as part of the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES).
  • Sandro Tacchella is a Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge, and Lola Danhaive is a PhD student in the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Data Intensive Science.

Statistics:

  • Over 250 young galaxies were analyzed with the JWST.
  • The galaxies existed between 800 million and 1.5 billion years old.
  • The research found that most galaxies were turbulent, with gas puffed up and moving in all directions.
  • The galaxies were chaotic and messy, with star formation and gravitational instabilities stirring up turbulence.
  • The findings help bridge the gap between the epoch of reionisation and the so-called cosmic noon, when star formation peaked.
  • 56% of the galaxies analyzed were still turbulent, while 44% were beginning to settle into ordered rotation.
  • 71% of the galaxies had gas puffed up and moving in all directions.

Sources:

  • (Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society)
  • (JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES))
  • (University of Cambridge)
  • (Royal Society)
  • (European Union)
  • (Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI))
  • (NASA)
  • (ESA)
  • (Canadian Space Agency (CSA))
  • (St Edmund's College, Cambridge)
  • (Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Data Intensive Science)