A new study led by Stanford University astronomers has found a surprising explanation for the mysterious emission of hydrogen in the early universe. Although the large amount of neutral gas created after the Big Bang was expected to completely block this emission, observations made by the Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam instrument revealed that older galaxies are surrounded by small, faint objects.
Contrary to what was previously believed, these galaxies are not alone, but are immersed in an environment full of smaller galaxies. The chaotic merger of these neighboring galaxies creates an intense hydrogen emission that escapes through the free channels of the surrounding neutral gas.
The research team used computer simulations to investigate the physical processes that would explain these results. They found that the rapid accumulation of stellar mass through galaxy mergers triggers strong hydrogen emission and allows this radiation to escape.
These findings challenge previous theories that suggested hydrogen emissions in the early universe should not be observable today due to the absorption and scattering capacity of the neutral gas. The study shows that galaxy mergers play a crucial role in explaining this phenomenon.
This revelation has a huge impact on our understanding of early galaxies and gives us a clearer view of what the universe was like in its early stages. Studying the early universe requires powerful telescopes like Webb, capable of observing very distant and faint galaxies. With his exceptional abilities, Webb solved one of the oldest mysteries in astronomy.
The discovery of the effect of galaxy mergers opens up new perspectives for continuing to explore the early universe and to better understand the processes that shaped our galaxy and the universe in general.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.
Q: What is the puzzle solved by the Stanford University study?
Answer: A study has found a surprising explanation for the mysterious emission of hydrogen in the early universe.
Question: What was expected to completely block hydrogen emission in the early universe?
A: The large amount of neutral gas created after the big bang was expected to completely block this emission.
Question: What did the observations made by the NIRCam instrument on the Webb Space Telescope reveal?
Answer: Observations have revealed that the oldest galaxies are surrounded by small, faint objects.
Question: What has been discovered about the oldest galaxies?
A: These galaxies were found not to be alone, but embedded in an environment full of smaller galaxies.
Question: What creates chaotic mergers of neighboring galaxies?
Answer: Chaotic fusion creates an intense emission of hydrogen, which escapes through the free channels of the surrounding neutral gas.
Q: What did the research team discover using computer simulations?
Answer: They found that the rapid accumulation of stellar mass through galaxy mergers triggers a strong emission of hydrogen and allows it to escape.
Question: What is the impact of this discovery on our understanding of the universe?
A: This discovery has a huge impact on our understanding of early galaxies and gives us a clearer picture of what the universe was like in its early stages.
Q: What does it take to study the early universe?
Answer: We need powerful telescopes like Webb, capable of observing very distant and faint galaxies.
Q: What did the Webb Space Telescope solve with this study?
Answer: With his extraordinary abilities, Webb solved one of the oldest mysteries in astronomy.
Question: What new perspectives are opened with the discovery of the effect of merging galaxies?
Answer: The discovery of the effect of galaxy mergers opens up new perspectives for continuing to explore the early universe and to better understand the processes that shaped our galaxy and the universe in general.
Definition of key terms:
– Big Bang: A cosmological process that occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago and is believed to have given rise to the universe as we know it.
– NIRCam: Short for Near-Infrared Camera, it is an instrument on board the James Webb Space Telescope that allows observations in the near-infrared region.
Recommended Related Links:
– James Webb Space Telescope Official Site
– Wikipedia article on the big bang
