Astronomers studying data from the James Webb Space Telescope have identified hundreds of intriguing objects called 'little red dots.' These compact, reddish objects appear in the early universe and exhibit unusual light signatures. Analysis suggests they may be the building blocks of galaxies and black holes, offering insights into early universe evolution.
A team of astronomers has made a significant discovery while studying data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). They have analyzed hundreds of enigmatic objects known as 'little red dots,' which have puzzled astronomers since their initial detection. These objects, as their name suggests, appear as compact, reddish dots in the early universe. Their unusual light signatures have defied easy explanation, leading to much speculation about their nature.
The researchers, who sifted through JWST data from various surveys, including CEERS, JADES, and NGDEEP, found that these 'little red dots' are extremely common in the early universe, appearing roughly 600 million years after the Big Bang and then fading away by about 1.5 billion years ago. A closer examination of a subset of these objects revealed intriguing light signatures suggesting the presence of hot gas spiraling into a growing black hole. This finding has led astronomers to propose that these 'little red dots' might be the building blocks of the massive galaxies and supermassive black holes we observe today.The JWST's unprecedented ability to detect faint objects has allowed astronomers to peer back into the early universe and uncover these fascinating phenomena. While some astronomers continue to debate the true nature of 'little red dots,' the prevailing hypothesis suggests that they represent the nascent stages of galaxy and black hole formation. This discovery sheds light on the processes that shaped the early universe and the evolution of galaxies over billions of years
JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE GALAXY FORMATION BLACK HOLES EARLY UNIVERSE LITTLE RED DOTS
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James Webb Space Telescope quiz: How well do you know the world's most powerful telescope?Ian is a freelance science and technology writer, and formerly the Tech and Entertainment Editor at Live Science & Space.com. With a degree in biology, a PhD in chemistry, and his previous role at Institute of Physics Publishing, Ian is taking a world tour through the different scientific disciplines.
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