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

November 21, 2023

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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