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NASA's James Webb Telescope Identifies Earliest Supernova, Reveals Host Galaxy

NASA's James Webb Telescope Identifies Earliest Supernova, Reveals Host Galaxy

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a groundbreaking observation by identifying a supernova that exploded when the universe was only 730 million years old, marking the earliest detection of its kind. The telescope's high-resolution near-infrared images also allowed astronomers to locate the supernova's faint host galaxy. This observation was part of a coordinated effort with other international telescopes that detected a gamma-ray burst in mid-March. The supernova's light, stretched over billions of years due to the expanding universe, was observed to brighten over several months. This discovery not only sets a new record for the earliest supernova detected but also provides insights into the characteristics of early stars, which were expected to differ significantly from modern stars.

James Webb Space Telescope Identifies Earliest Known Supernova

James Webb Space Telescope Identifies Earliest Known Supernova

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has identified the earliest known supernova, which exploded when the universe was only 730 million years old. This discovery marks the earliest detection of a supernova to date, with the telescope's near-infrared images also revealing the supernova's faint host galaxy. The observation was part of a coordinated effort with other international telescopes following a gamma-ray burst detected in March. The supernova's light, stretched over billions of years due to cosmic expansion, was captured by Webb three and a half months after the gamma-ray burst.

NASA's Webb Telescope Observes 13-Billion-Year-Old Supernova, Challenges Star Formation Theories

NASA's Webb Telescope Observes 13-Billion-Year-Old Supernova, Challenges Star Formation Theories

The James Webb Space Telescope, in collaboration with international observatories, has detected a supernova from 13 billion years ago, marking a significant milestone in astronomical observations. This supernova, which exploded when the universe was only 730 million years old, was accompanied by a gamma-ray burst. The discovery challenges existing theories as the supernova shares characteristics with modern supernovae, despite expectations of significant differences due to the early universe's conditions. The detection was a coordinated effort involving multiple observatories, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in space exploration.

James Webb Space Telescope Detects Earliest Known Supernova from Cosmic Dawn

James Webb Space Telescope Detects Earliest Known Supernova from Cosmic Dawn

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has identified the earliest known supernova, dating back to the Cosmic Dawn, approximately 720 million years after the Big Bang. This discovery surpasses the previous record-holder, a supernova that occurred when the universe was 1.8 billion years old. The detection was initially made by the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM), a joint French-Chinese satellite, which observed a gamma-ray burst (GRB 250314A) at a redshift of 7.3. Follow-up observations confirmed the distance and nature of the event. The supernova, associated with a long-duration gamma-ray burst, was found to be a typical supernova, similar to those observed in the more recent universe. This finding provides insights into the nature of stars during the Epoch of Reionization, a critical period when the universe's opaque fog of neutral hydrogen was ionized, allowing light to travel freely.

NASA's James Webb Telescope Identifies Potential First Stars of the Universe

NASA's James Webb Telescope Identifies Potential First Stars of the Universe

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has potentially identified some of the universe's first stars, known as Population III (Pop III) stars, in a galaxy called LAP1-B, located 13 billion light-years from Earth. These stars, formed shortly after the Big Bang, are believed to be massive and emit intense ultraviolet light. The discovery was made possible through JWST's infrared data and gravitational lensing, which magnified the light from these stars. The findings suggest that these stars formed in a low-metallicity environment, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, and could be the building blocks of larger galaxies.

Astronomers Discover 'Monster Stars' in Early Universe, Shedding Light on Cosmic Dark Ages

Astronomers Discover 'Monster Stars' in Early Universe, Shedding Light on Cosmic Dark Ages

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), identifying 'monster stars' that existed in the early universe. These stars, weighing between 1,000 and 10,000 times the mass of our Sun, were found in a galaxy named GS 3073. The discovery was made by analyzing the chemical signatures within the galaxy, particularly the nitrogen-to-oxygen ratio, which was found to be significantly higher than what can be explained by known stellar phenomena. This finding provides the first direct evidence of such massive stars, which are believed to have existed during the universe's first few hundred million years, a period known as the 'cosmic Dark Ages.' These stars likely played a crucial role in the formation of supermassive black holes, which are some of the brightest objects in the universe.

James Webb Space Telescope Captures Cosmic Tornado in Advent Calendar

James Webb Space Telescope Captures Cosmic Tornado in Advent Calendar

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured an image of Herbig-Haro 49/50, a cosmic phenomenon resembling a tornado, as part of the 2025 Space Telescope Advent Calendar. Located about 630 light-years from Earth, the image shows energetic jets from a newly-forming star interacting with dense gas and dust, creating a tornado-like shape. The image also features a distant spiral galaxy at the 'tip' of the tornado, unrelated to the Herbig-Haro object. This image is part of a series released daily until December 25, showcasing the telescope's capabilities.

NASA's James Webb Telescope May Have Detected Universe's First Stars, Offering Insight into Cosmic History

NASA's James Webb Telescope May Have Detected Universe's First Stars, Offering Insight into Cosmic History

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) may have identified some of the universe's earliest stars, known as Population III (Pop III) stars, in a galaxy called LAP1-B. This galaxy is located approximately 13 billion light-years from Earth. The discovery was reported by astronomer Eli Visbal and his team, who analyzed infrared data from the JWST. The stars in LAP1-B were found to emit intense ultraviolet light and are estimated to be about 100 times the mass of the Sun. These findings align with theoretical conditions for Pop III star formation, which include a low-metallicity environment primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, and the emergence of stars in small, massive clusters. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggests that these stars could be the first direct detection of the universe's primordial stars.

James Webb Space Telescope Captures 'Cosmic Tornado' Phenomenon

James Webb Space Telescope Captures 'Cosmic Tornado' Phenomenon

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a striking image of a 'cosmic tornado' in the Herbig-Haro 49/50 region, located approximately 630 light-years from Earth. This phenomenon is created by energetic jets from a nearby newly-forming star interacting with dense gas and dust, resulting in a tornado-like shape in space. The image is part of the 2025 Space Telescope Advent Calendar, which features daily releases of cosmic images leading up to December 25. The 'tip' of the tornado-like structure is actually a distant spiral galaxy, unrelated to the Herbig-Haro object.

NASA Prepares for Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS's Closest Approach to Earth

NASA Prepares for Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS's Closest Approach to Earth

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025. This rare cosmic event has generated significant interest among astronomers and space enthusiasts, as the comet will pass within 167 million miles of Earth. Despite its proximity, the comet poses no threat to the planet as it will be on the opposite side of the sun. NASA has confirmed that 3I/ATLAS will remain visible to telescopes and space missions for several months before it exits the solar system. The comet, which originated outside the solar system, has been observed by various spacecraft, including those from NASA and the European Space Agency. Its unique characteristics, such as changing colors and the appearance of its tail, have sparked curiosity and speculation, although scientists affirm it is a natural phenomenon.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Reveals New Insights on Uranus's Moons

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Reveals New Insights on Uranus's Moons

Recent observations from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have provided new insights into the small inner moons of Uranus. These moons, which are much redder, darker, and more water-poor than the larger moons, were studied using infrared spectra. The research, to be presented at the 2025 AGU Annual Meeting, highlights the unique characteristics of these moons, such as Mab, which is bluer and more water-rich compared to others. The study also discovered a new moon, temporarily named S/2025 U1, orbiting just outside Uranus's epsilon ring. These findings expand the understanding of the composition and reflectivity of the moons' surfaces, offering clues about their origins and interactions within Uranus's ring system.

NASA and ESA Capture Activity of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA and ESA Capture Activity of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have released new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, showcasing its dramatic activity as it approaches its closest point to Earth on December 19, 2025. The comet, which originated from outside our Solar System, has been observed by multiple space telescopes, including Hubble and ESA's Juice spacecraft. These observations reveal the comet's twin tails and a rich mix of organic molecules, such as methanol and hydrogen cyanide, which are associated with prebiotic chemistry. Despite its proximity, the comet poses no threat to Earth, remaining at a safe distance of approximately 170 million miles.