NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of galaxy formation, debunking the long-held theory of slow and steady growth. Instead, scientists now believe that galaxies evolved in fits and starts, shaped by chaos and invisible forces.
The JWST has become a cosmic time machine, revealing nearly 1,700 galaxy groups in unprecedented detail. This latest survey, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, offers a glimpse into the early days of the universe, with galaxies formed over 12 billion years ago.
These ancient galaxies were chaotic and clumpy, bursting with energy and rich in gas and dust. They grew by merging and colliding, forming larger, more organized structures over billions of years. The JWST data has allowed astronomers to study how these galactic families changed over time, revealing the hidden forces that shape their evolution.
Dark matter and supermassive black holes played a crucial role in this process, pulling galaxies together and heating up gas. As galaxies evolved, they transformed into familiar shapes: spirals with graceful arms and smooth, round ellipticals. Star formation slowed down, and some galaxies used up all their fuel, while others were heated by black holes at their centers.
The JWST has provided a unique opportunity for scientists to study the evolution of our own Local Group, including the Milky Way and Andromeda. By understanding how these early groups evolved, astronomers are connecting the dots between ancient chaos and modern galaxy structures. With this cosmic census, scientists can finally see the evidence directly, shedding light on one of the most enduring mysteries of the universe.
Source: https://eladelantado.com/news/nasa-james-webb-galaxies-billion-years