The discovery of JADES-GS-z13-0 in 2022 by the James Webb Space Telescope was a momentous occasion in the field of astronomy. This was the oldest and most distant known galaxy yet identified in the observable universe, having a spectroscopic redshift of z = 10.957, which corresponds to a proper distance of approximately 32 billion light-years (9.8 billion parsecs). This means that the light from this galaxy has been travelling for almost the entire age of the universe, 13.7 billion years.
The discovery of GN-z11, as the galaxy has been named, has shed new light on the early universe. It is believed to have formed just 400 million years after the Big Bang, when the universe was only 3% of its current age. This means that the galaxy is very young, and it is still forming stars at a rapid rate.
GN-z11 is a very small galaxy, only about one-thirtieth the size of the Milky Way. It is estimated to contain only about one billion stars, compared to the Milky Way’s 200-400 billion stars. This makes it one of the smallest galaxies ever discovered.
The galaxy is also extremely faint, with a luminosity of only one-hundredth that of the Milky Way. This is due to its low mass and the fact that it is so far away.
Despite its small size and faintness, GN-z11 is an important discovery. It is the most distant galaxy ever observed, and it provides a window into the early universe. By studying this galaxy, astronomers can learn more about the formation and evolution of galaxies in the early universe.
The discovery of GN-z11 also raises questions about the nature of the universe. It is possible that there are galaxies even further away, and that the universe is much larger than we currently think.
GN-z11 is an incredible discovery, and it has opened up a new window into the early universe. It is a reminder of the vastness of the universe, and of the incredible distances that light can travel. The discovery of this galaxy has provided us with a glimpse into the distant past, and it is a reminder of how much more there is to learn about the universe.
The discovery of GN-z11 has been an exciting moment for astronomers, and it has provided us with a new understanding of the early universe. It is a reminder of the incredible distances that light can travel, and of the vastness of the universe. We are only just beginning to understand the universe, and the discovery of GN-z11 is an important step in that journey.
