James Webb Space Telescope Uncovers Massive “Cosmic Vine” in Early Universe

Astronomers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have identified a colossal chain of at least 20 closely packed galaxies from the early universe, offering insights into the formation of the most massive structures in the cosmos.

The “Cosmic Vine” Discovery

  • Dubbed the “Cosmic Vine,” this megastructure spans more than 13 million light-years in a bow shape and is approximately 650,000 light-years wide.
  • Detected in the Extended Groth Strip, between the constellations Ursa Major and Boötes, the Vine is significantly larger than other observed galaxy groups from this early cosmic era.
  • The Vine, with a redshift of roughly 3.44, dates back to around 11 to 12 billion years, making it one of the largest structures in the early universe.

Galactic Clusters and Cosmic Mysteries

  • The Cosmic Vine appears to be evolving into a galaxy cluster, the most massive structures in the universe bound together by gravity.
  • Despite its estimated mass of about 260 billion solar masses, the Vine is still growing. Two of its largest galaxies, however, have become “quiescent” or “quenched,” indicating a halt in star formation.

Galactic Collisions and Star Formation Quenching

  • The researchers suggest that recent galactic mergers may have triggered intense star formation bursts, depleting the available gas for star formation about half a billion years before JWST’s observations.
  • The unusual discovery prompts questions about the nature of the universe, with further studies needed to unveil the mysteries behind this ancient galactic chain.

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