Space scientists have discovered an ancient galaxy using the James Webb Space Telescope. This galaxy, named WLM, is located just 3 million light years away from our Milky Way. By studying the galaxy and its surrounding stars, astronomers have determined that it is around 13 billion years old.
The research team from a university in the United States made this groundbreaking discovery. They used the advanced capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope to observe WLM and analyze its characteristics.
WLM stands out because of its relatively low mass compared to other galaxies. Scientists have closely observed the stars orbiting within WLM for billions of years. Through these observations, they have gained insights into the formation and evolution of stars in the universe.
By studying the stars in WLM, scientists have uncovered clues about how stars are formed. They have learned that not all stars were created in the same way. Most of the stars in WLM formed during the first two to four billion years after the Big Bang.
During the early stages of the universe, temperatures were extremely high. As the universe expanded and cooled down, star formation slowed down significantly. Eventually, the temperature dropped to almost zero, halting the formation of new stars.
However, as temperatures began to rise again, the rate of star formation increased once more. This cyclical pattern of star formation is a key aspect of the evolution of galaxies like WLM.
The discovery of WLM and its ancient stars provides valuable insights into the early history of the universe. By studying galaxies like WLM, scientists can piece together the timeline of cosmic evolution and better understand the processes that shaped the universe as we know it today.
The James Webb Space Telescope continues to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos by revealing ancient galaxies like WLM and unlocking the mysteries of the universe’s past.
