The Webb Telescope uncovers the mystery of one of the most distant galaxies in cosmic history.

Peering into the depths of space and time, two research teams utilizing NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have delved into the intricacies of the remarkably luminous galaxy GN-z11. This celestial entity, detected initially by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, holds the distinction of being among the youngest and most distant galaxies observed, originating when our 13.8 billion-year-old universe was a mere 430 million years old. The extraordinary brightness of GN-z11 poses a perplexing challenge for scientists, who are now unraveling some of the enigmatic secrets concealed within its radiance.

The most distant black hole ever discovered.

In their investigation of GN-z11 using the Webb telescope, a research team has unveiled groundbreaking evidence pointing to the presence of a central, supermassive black hole within the galaxy, actively consuming surrounding matter at an accelerated rate. This revelation marks the identification of the most distant active supermassive black hole observed to date. Principal investigator Roberto Maiolino, from the Cavendish Laboratory and the Kavli Institute of Cosmology at the University of Cambridge, highlighted the discovery of extremely dense gas, a telltale sign of a black hole voraciously accreting matter in GN-z11.

Striking Image Reveals GOODS-North Field of Galaxies in Exquisite Detail.

Utilizing Webb’s advanced capabilities, the research team uncovered telltale signs of ionized chemical elements commonly associated with accreting supermassive black holes. Moreover, they detected a formidable, high-velocity wind emanating from the galaxy, a phenomenon typically linked to the processes surrounding vigorously accreting black holes.

Investigator Hannah Übler, affiliated with the Cavendish Laboratory and the Kavli Institute, highlighted the findings from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), showcasing an extended component tracing the host galaxy and a compact source consistent with the colors of an accretion disk enveloping a black hole. Collectively, this evidence affirms that GN-z11 harbors a 2-million-solar-mass supermassive black hole, actively consuming matter and radiating luminosity.

Researchers were stunned to see ancient gas clumps in the halo of GN-z11.

In a parallel study led by Maiolino and employing Webb’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), a second research team uncovered a distinctive gaseous clump rich in helium within the halo encircling GN-z11. Maiolino emphasized the significance of the finding, stating that the absence of other elements beyond helium suggests the pristine nature of this clump. The outcome aligns with theoretical expectations and simulations for this epoch, indicating that in the vicinity of particularly massive galaxies like GN-z11, pockets of pristine gas may persist in the halo. These pristine gas pockets have the potential to collapse and give rise to Population III star clusters, adding a layer of intrigue to the cosmic narrative.

The quest for the elusive Population III stars, the inaugural generation born predominantly from hydrogen and helium, stands as a paramount objective in modern astrophysics. These stars, anticipated to be exceptionally massive, luminous, and hot, bear a distinctive signature characterized by ionized helium and the absence of elements heavier than helium. Their discovery holds profound significance, representing a pivotal moment in cosmic history when the universe transitioned from a dark, relatively uncomplicated state to the intricately structured and complex cosmos we observe today. Unraveling the mysteries surrounding the formation of these ancient celestial bodies contributes crucial insights into the evolutionary tapestry of the universe.

Webb captures plumes of ancient gas near GN-z11.

This comprehensive two-part graphic unveils compelling evidence of a helium-rich gaseous clump within the halo surrounding galaxy GN-z11. The upper section provides a visual journey, with the far-right box identifying GN-z11 amidst a field of galaxies, the middle box offering a detailed zoomed-in image of the galaxy, and the far-left box presenting a helium gas map in the halo, showcasing a distinct clump absent in the infrared colors of the middle panel.

In the lower segment, a spectrum displays the unique “fingerprint” of helium in the halo, with no trace of other elements, affirming the pristine nature of the helium clump. This clump, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium gas leftover from the big bang, offers minimal contamination from heavier elements produced by stars. The graphic aligns with predictions from theory and simulations, suggesting that such pockets of pristine gas surviving in the halo may collapse and give rise to Population III star clusters, adding depth to our understanding of cosmic evolution.

In forthcoming observations with the Webb telescope, Maiolino, Übler, and their team are poised to delve deeper into the intricacies of GN-z11, aiming to fortify the evidence for the potential formation of Population III stars within its halo.The groundbreaking research on the pristine gas clump in GN-z11’s halo has achieved acceptance for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Additionally, the findings from the study on GN-z11’s black hole were officially published in the journal Nature on January 17, 2024. These significant outcomes stem from data gathered as part of the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES), a collaborative initiative involving the NIRCam and NIRSpec teams.