The James Webb Space Telescope has provided new insights into a long-standing astronomical mystery. Previously, scientists believed that faint red dots spotted by the telescope were giant galaxies. However, recent research suggests that these “little red dots” are actually generated by active black holes at their centers.
The discovery was made possible by the powerful space observatory’s ability to capture light from distant objects in infrared spectrum. This allowed researchers to see more of the universe and observe the faint light emitted by the galaxies, which is not coming from a large number of stars as previously thought.
According to NASA, around 70% of the red objects observed so far show evidence of gas rapidly orbiting at high speeds, indicating a strong black hole. If confirmed, this would mean that the light seen from these red dots is generated by the black holes at their centers.
Astronomers are continuing to investigate the mysterious red dots, as they begin to appear and then disappear around 900 million years after the Big Bang. The reasons for their disappearance are still unclear, but researchers will continue weighing their observations with current understanding of the universe.
The James Webb Space Telescope is designed to study the early universe and has achieved unparalleled feats, including capturing more light than other telescopes. Its powerful infrared eyesight can penetrate cosmic clouds and reveal new insights about distant exoplanets and galaxies.
As the research continues, scientists are optimistic that they may uncover new secrets about the universe, including chemical reactions on distant planets and the rocky, Earth-sized planets of the TRAPPIST solar system.
Source: https://mashable.com/article/james-webb-space-telescope-mystery-explained