The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed the oldest galaxy in the universe, MoM-z14, a remarkable 13.5 billion light years from Earth. This discovery pushes our understanding of the early universe forward, as the galaxy is estimated to have formed just 280 million years after the Big Bang. According to Dr. Harley Katz, assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Chicago, seeing this galaxy is like “one of the first galaxies we’re possibly ever able to see.” The telescope’s discovery sheds light on how galaxies form in the early universe and provides a window into the physics of the cosmos.
The significance of this find lies in its ability to bridge the gap between our current understanding of the universe and its earliest moments. MoM-z14 is unusually bright, defying theoretical models that predicted a different outcome. Moreover, the telescope has allowed astronomers to see individual elements within the galaxy, including an overabundance of nitrogen, which was not previously thought possible at such early cosmic times.
While the pace of discoveries with the James Webb Space Telescope has been impressive, Dr. Katz notes that more theorists are needed to unravel the mysteries of the universe. With continued advancements and deeper images, we may uncover even more secrets about the cosmos in the coming years.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/07/nx-s1-5423744/the-james-webb-space-telescope-reveals-the-oldest-galaxy-in-the-universe