The James Webb Space Telescope has captured hundreds of galaxies that appear as small, red dots in images from one of the oldest regions of the universe. Astrophysicists are struggling to explain what these structures are, with different theories emerging depending on how they’re observed.
According to Smithsonian Institution astrophysicist Fabio Pacucci, the red dot structures are relatively small compared to galaxies like the Milky Way. They occupy a mere 2% of its size and contain roughly the same number of stars as the Milky Way despite being much smaller.
Two theories attempt to explain the origins of these “Little Red Dots.” One proposes that they’re densely packed star clusters, hosting approximately the same number of stars as the Milky Way. This would make them unusually dense stellar environments. Another theory suggests that each red dot is a supermassive black hole surrounded by stars.
However, this second hypothesis faces an obstacle: the predicted size of the black hole contradicts existing knowledge. The “Little Red Dots” appear to have existed for only about one billion years, with their emergence dating back around 600-800 million years after the Big Bang. Further research and theories are needed to uncover the secrets behind these enigmatic structures.
The James Webb Space Telescope’s discoveries often raise more questions than answers.
Source: https://twistedsifter.com/2024/11/astrophysicists-cant-explain-why-james-webb-space-telescope-just-found-hundreds-of-little-red-dots-in-the-distant-past-of-the-universe