Astronomers have identified a galaxy formed approximately 600 million years after the Big Bang, with characteristics resembling those of the Milky Way during its early stages. The discovery, made using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), represents a significant advancement in understanding the formation of galaxies in the early universe. Among the co-lead researchers of the study is Bangladeshi-born astrophysicist Lamiya Mowla, now an assistant professor at Wellesley College in the United States.

Unveiling the "Firefly Sparkle" galaxy

The galaxy, nicknamed the "Firefly Sparkle" by the research team, is notable for its modest mass, which aligns with estimates of the Milky Way's mass at a comparable stage of development. The study utilized gravitational lensing, a phenomenon that amplifies and distorts light from distant objects, to closely examine the galaxy's structure. JWST's advanced infrared imaging capabilities allowed researchers to resolve the galaxy into 10 distinct star clusters, each in varying stages of formation.

"This galaxy offers a rare glimpse into the assembly of a galaxy in the early universe," said Mowla in a NASA news release. "The ability to resolve it into separate components provides unique insights into the processes of star formation."

Collaboration and advanced technology

The research was conducted as part of the Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey (CANUCS), which leverages the capabilities of JWST's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec). Gravitational lensing, caused by a massive foreground galaxy cluster, magnified the Firefly Sparkle, enabling detailed analysis of its structure and composition.

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Insights into early galactic formation

The Firefly Sparkle is relatively small and less massive than most galaxies observed from this epoch. Researchers identified two companion galaxies, separated by 6,500 and 42,000 light-years, which may influence its future development through gravitational interactions. The study suggests that such interactions, predicted by galaxy formation models, are crucial in the evolution of early galaxies.

The research findings were published in the journal Nature on December 11, 2024. By studying galaxies like the Firefly Sparkle, astronomers aim to better understand the processes that led to the formation of present-day galaxies, including the Milky Way.