Early Universe
Articles tagged with Early Universe
Local dwarf galaxies may preserve a record of the infant Universe
A new study uses unprecedented simulations to reveal how ultra-faint dwarf galaxies reflect the conditions of the early Universe. These tiny satellite galaxies can provide clues about the properties of dark matter and help test early-Universe physics with upcoming observations.
Little red dots: New clues from the early universe
Astronomers used TACC supercomputers to develop models of Little Red Dot formation, finding better agreement with Direct Collapse Black Hole theories. Researchers also analyzed JWST data using a 'genetic technique' to understand the history of these enigmatic cosmic objects.
Dark matter could explain earliest supermassive black holes
A study led by University of California, Riverside graduate student Yash Aggarwal suggests that dark matter decays could have seeded the direct collapse of galaxies into giant black holes. The research found that a window of dark matter masses between 24 and 27 electronvolts could produce conditions for black hole formation.
Gravity follows Newton and Einstein’s rules, even at cosmic scales
Researchers tracked galaxy clusters to test gravity's strength, finding it weakens with distance as predicted by Newton and Einstein. The study confirms the existence of invisible dark matter, closing the door on alternative theories like Modified Newtonian Dynamics.
Gravitational waves as possible candidates for the origin of dark matter
Gravitational waves may have contributed to dark matter formation through stochastic gravitational waves during the early universe's formation. This new mechanism could lead to mass-free or nearly mass-free fermions that would acquire mass and form dark matter particles.
Study: The infant universe’s “primordial soup” was actually soupy
Physicists at MIT observed clear signs that quarks create wakes as they speed through the plasma, confirming the plasma behaves like a liquid. This finding provides new insights into the properties of the quark-gluon plasma and its behavior in the early universe.
Hubble tension – SFU researcher potentially one step closer to answering the universe’s biggest question
A Simon Fraser University researcher believes his team's new research may bring them closer to cracking the Hubble tension, a decades-old question about the universe's expansion rate. The theory centers on primordial magnetic fields, which could have accelerated recombination and affected the value of the Hubble constant.
‘Death by a thousand cuts’: Young galaxy ran out of fuel as black hole choked off supplies
Astronomers have spotted an ancient galaxy that was slowly starved of fuel by a supermassive black hole. The galaxy's lack of cold gas prevented it from forming new stars, despite its relatively young age. Repeated episodes of heating and gas removal by the black hole likely drained the galaxy's fuel in as little as 16-220 million years.
Development history of the universe is being rewritten based on a bachelor’s project from NBI
A team of researchers has observed a massive galaxy cluster that challenges existing models of the universe's evolution. The cluster's unusual structure and high density of cold, neutral hydrogen gas suggest a different history than previously thought. This discovery raises questions about the fate of large structures in the universe.
Scientists discover ‘platypus galaxies’ in the early universe
Researchers identified nine objects with characteristics of stars and galaxies, sparking new questions about the cosmos. These 'platypus galaxies' have narrow emission lines indicative of active star formation, defying expectations.
Earliest, hottest galaxy cluster gas on record could change our cosmological models
Researchers have found a galaxy cluster with scorching hot gas just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, five times hotter than predicted, and containing three supermassive black holes that pumped energy into the surroundings. This discovery could upend current models of galaxy cluster formation and evolution.
Stardust study resets how life’s atoms spread through space
A team of astronomers has discovered that the winds of giant stars like R Doradus are driven by complex processes, rather than being powered solely by starlight and stardust. The study used advanced computer simulations to model how starlight interacts with dust grains, finding that they are too small to be pushed outward by starlight ...
Exploring the origins of the universe: 145 low-noise amplifiers complete ALMA telescopes
The Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) has been upgraded with 145 low-noise amplifiers, allowing for more sensitive measurements of cosmic radiation. This enables researchers to study dark and distant regions of the universe, gaining insights into star and galaxy formation.
Astronomers challenge 50-year-old quasar law
New research reveals the structure of matter surrounding supermassive black holes has changed over cosmic time, challenging a fundamental assumption about their behavior. The study combines new X-ray observations to explore the relation between X-ray and ultraviolet light intensity of an unprecedentedly large sample of quasars.
Endings and beginnings: ACT releases its final data, shaping the future of cosmology
The Atacama Cosmology Telescope's sixth and final data release confirms the 'Hubble tension' and rules out extended cosmological models, providing new insights into the Universe's evolution and current state. ACT's observations offer a cleaner starting point for future research.
Within a second after the Big Bang: The birth of the first black holes, boson stars, and cannibal stars
Researchers propose that interactions between particles in primordial matter domination could have given rise to the first black holes, boson stars, and cannibal stars. These compact objects could have formed through gravothermal collapse, leading to surprising cosmic structures.
‘Messy’ galaxies in the early universe struggled to settle
Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to study young galaxies in the early universe, finding most were turbulent and 'clumpy'. Despite this chaos, galaxy dynamics show a gradual transition towards ordered structures, suggesting that galaxies like our Milky Way formed through frequent mergers and bursts of star formation.
Scientists discover building blocks of life in ice around a forming star in neighboring galaxy
Astronomers detected complex organic molecules in ices outside the Milky Way for the first time, finding five different carbon-based compounds, including methanol and acetic acid. This discovery sheds light on how chemical ingredients for life spread throughout the cosmos.
Early galaxies — or something else? Mizzou scientists uncover mysterious objects in the universe
Researchers used infrared images to spot bright objects, then applied the 'dropout' technique to confirm their nature. The study could challenge current ideas about galaxy formation in the early universe if confirmed.
Meet the universe’s earliest confirmed black hole
Researchers have identified a distant black hole in galaxy CAPERS-LRD-z9, dating back 13.3 billion years to the early universe. The discovery offers a unique opportunity to study the structure and evolution of this enigmatic period using cutting-edge technology like the James Webb Space Telescope.
NASA installs key ‘sunblock’ shield on Roman Space Telescope
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will feature a 'sunblock' shield made of lightweight yet stiff panels designed to limit heat transfer. The observatory's instruments will benefit from this design, which can detect faint signals from space.
Probing the cosmic Dark Ages from the far side of the Moon
Astronomers aim to unlock secrets of the 'Cosmic Dawn' by sending a miniature spacecraft to detect faint signals from hydrogen in early universe. The UK-led CosmoCube mission would observe from far side of Moon, creating a quiet spot to listen for an 'ancient whisper'.
Cosmic signal from the very early universe will help astronomers detect the first stars
A team of researchers has discovered that a specific radio signal can reveal the masses of the earliest stars, crucial for understanding the Cosmic Dawn. The study utilizes the 21-centimetre signal, created by hydrogen atoms filling gaps between star-forming regions, to inform predictions about future radio telescopes like REACH and SKA.
NASA’s Webb ‘UNCOVERs’ galaxy population driving cosmic renovation
Astronomers have identified dozens of small galaxies that played a key role in transforming the early universe into the one we know today. These tiny but mighty galaxies produced ultraviolet light, which drove the reionization of the universe.
NASA's Roman mission shares detailed plans to scour skies
Roman's surveys will investigate dark energy and dark matter governing cosmic evolution, and study the demographics of worlds beyond our solar system. The missions include High-Latitude Wide-Area Survey, High-Latitude Time-Domain Survey, and Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey.
Cosmic twist: New study suggests the universe could be spinning
Researchers propose universe may rotate with one rotation every 500 billion years, resolving Hubble tension paradox and explaining discrepancies in astronomical measurements. The theory is compatible with current models and doesn't break any known laws of physics.
The most distant twin of the Milky Way ever observed
Astronomers have discovered a massive spiral galaxy resembling the Milky Way, formed just 1 billion years after the Big Bang. The galaxy, Zhúlóng, exhibits a mature structure with a central old bulge and large star-forming disk, challenging our understanding of galaxy formation.
Research suggests our closest neighboring galaxy may be being torn apart
Research suggests that massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud are being pulled apart by the Large Magellanic Cloud. The discovery reveals a new pattern in stellar motion, which could transform our understanding of galaxy evolution and interactions.
Galaxies die earlier than expected
A recent discovery reveals that massive quiescent galaxies formed even earlier and more rapidly than previously thought. The study found a galaxy named RUBIES-UDS-QG-z7, which formed a stellar mass of over 10 billion solar masses within the first 600 million years after the Big Bang before ceasing star formation.
In ancient stellar nurseries, some stars are born of fluffy clouds
A team of researchers from Kyushu University discovered that about 60% of molecular clouds in the Small Magellanic Cloud had a filamentary structure, while 40% were 'fluffy' with higher temperatures. This finding provides new insights into star formation in early-universe-like environments.
MSU scientists discover new sources for ‘the molecule that made the universe’
MSU scientists have identified alternative formation pathways for trihydrogen (H3+) in compounds such as methyl halogens and pseudohalogens. This breakthrough study provides new insights into the abundance of H3+ in the universe, with implications for astrochemistry and the formation of organic molecules.
'Ghost towns' of the universe: Ultra-faint, rare dwarf galaxies offer clues to the early cosmos
Astronomers discovered three ultra-faint dwarf galaxies in an isolated region of space, containing only very old stars. The findings support the theory that events in the early universe cut off star formation in small galaxies.
Massive black hole in the early universe spotted taking a ‘nap’ after overeating
Astronomers detect a massive black hole in the early universe that is lying dormant due to low accretion rates, sparking debate about its formation and growth. The discovery challenges standard models of black hole development and suggests that these monsters may be born big or go through periods of hyperactivity.
Falsifying anthropics
A new paper in JCAP proposes a way to test the anthropic principle, which suggests the universe is fine-tuned for life. The proposal involves confirming three conditions: cosmic inflation, axion existence, and dark matter not being made of axions.
Evidence of primordial black holes may be hiding in planets, or even everyday objects here on Earth
Researchers propose that small black holes born in the early universe could have left behind hollow planetoids and microscopic tunnels, potentially detectable with telescopes or by monitoring old materials. The study suggests a low probability of primordial black hole passage but emphasizes the potential for discovery.
Novel supernova observations grant astronomers a peek into the cosmic past
Researchers have observed a rare metal-poor supernova, providing valuable information about the early universe. The study revealed that this supernova was distinct from others in nearby galaxies, with unique properties such as a steady brightness period and rapid spin.
Astronomers discover mysterious ‘Red Monster’ galaxies in the early Universe
An international team discovered three ultra-massive galaxies, each nearly as massive as the Milky Way, forming at unexpected speeds. The findings indicate that star formation in the early Universe was more efficient than previously thought, posing a challenge to existing galaxy formation models.
Three galactic “red monsters” in the early Universe
An international team led by UNIGE has identified three ultra-massive galaxies forming at unexpected speeds in the early Universe. The discovery challenges existing galaxy formation models and suggests that massive galaxies may have been more efficient in building stars than previously thought.
Astronomers’ theory of how galaxies formed may be upended
Astronomers at Case Western Reserve University have questioned the long-held standard model for galaxy formation, instead suggesting that modified gravity theories may be responsible. The James Webb Space Telescope's data suggests large and bright galaxies formed rapidly, contradicting predictions of dark matter's role.
NSF NOIRLab astronomers discover the fastest-feeding black hole in the early universe
Astronomers observe low-mass supermassive black hole consuming matter at over 40 times the theoretical limit, providing new insights into rapidly growing black holes. The discovery reveals a possible mechanism for black holes to exceed their Eddington limit, sparking further investigation.
‘Inside-out’ galaxy growth observed in the early universe
The team observed an 'inside-out' growing galaxy in the early universe using the James Webb Space Telescope. This type of growth had been predicted by theoretical models but was never directly observed until now. The research found that the star formation activity is rising towards the outskirts, indicating a rapid growth rate.
Two UMD Astronomy space probes advance to next round of $1 billion NASA mission selection
Two UMD Astronomy space probes, AXIS and PRIMA, have advanced to the next round of consideration for a $1 billion NASA mission. AXIS will study X-rays from stars and black holes, while PRIMA will explore far-infrared radiation to understand galaxy formation.
Probing the early universe
Researchers use high-resolution computer simulations and terabytes of data to detect faint signals from the Epoch of Reionization, providing insights into galaxy formation. The study sets an upper limit on when the EoR likely ended, offering a new parameter for scientists to work with as they continue to investigate the early universe.
Webb discovers 'weird' galaxy with gas outshining its stars
Astronomers have discovered a 'weird' and unprecedented galaxy in the early Universe, with its gas outshining its stars. This phenomenon could provide clues about how galaxies evolved between the Big Bang and familiar galaxies.
NASA’s Hubble finds more black holes than expected in the early universe
A team of researchers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope found more black holes than previously reported in the early universe. The new result sheds light on how supermassive black holes were created and can help scientists understand galaxy evolution.
Astronomers detect black hole ‘starving’ its host galaxy to death
Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to confirm that supermassive black holes can stop their host galaxies from forming new stars. The team observed a massive galaxy 'Pablo's Galaxy' in the early universe, finding that its supermassive black hole is expelling gas at high speeds, starving the galaxy of fuel.
Study: Early dark energy could resolve cosmology’s two biggest puzzles
A new study proposes that early dark energy could explain the formation of numerous bright galaxies in the early universe, resolving the 'Hubble tension' puzzle. The team modeled galaxy formation with a brief appearance of early dark energy, finding it fits observations and solves both puzzles.
Formation of super-Earths proven limited near metal-poor stars
Astronomers discovered that super-Earths cannot form near low-metallicity stars due to a strict cut-off in conditions. The study provides an upper limit on the number and distribution of small planets in the galaxy.
Early galaxies were not too big for their britches after all
Researchers led by Katherine Chworowsky found that early galaxies were not as massive as initially thought due to black holes' influence. The study suggests that these black holes consume gas, emitting heat and light that makes the galaxies appear brighter than they really are.
Star clusters observed within a galaxy in the early Universe for the first time
Astronomers have observed five young massive star clusters in the Cosmic Gems arc galaxy for the first time, revealing details about infant galaxies and globular cluster formation. The study uses gravitational lensing to resolve small scales in the distant galaxy, providing a unique window into the early Universe.
International Gemini Observatory and Subaru combine forces to discover first ever pair of merging quasars at cosmic dawn
The International Gemini Observatory and Subaru Telescope have discovered the most distant pair of merging quasars, seen only 900 million years after the Big Bang. The team used follow-up spectroscopy to confirm the nature of the quasar pair and their host galaxies.
Mizzou scientists spot more Milky Way-like galaxies in early universe
Researchers uncover new clues about the early universe, finding spiral galaxies were prevalent as early as 2 billion years after the universe formed. This discovery challenges previous theories and provides insight into how spiral galaxies like the Milky Way formed over time.
Exotic black holes could be a byproduct of dark matter
Researchers suggest microscopic, ultradense black holes formed in first quintillionth of a second after Big Bang may have produced smaller, super-charged black holes with unprecedented nuclear charge. These tiny, 'super-charged' black holes could have influenced atomic nucleus formation and detection.
Medium and mighty: Intermediate-mass black holes can survive in globular clusters
Simulations reveal that dense molecular clouds can give birth to very massive stars that evolve into intermediate-mass black holes. The study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of intermediate-mass black hole formation, which could have significant implications for our understanding of these enigmatic objects.
The case of the missing black holes
Researchers propose a novel approach to correct the leading model of primordial black hole (PBH) formation, aligning with cosmic microwave background observations. This could imply fewer PBHs than expected, potentially affecting the dark matter theory and gravitational wave events.
MIT astronomers observe elusive stellar light surrounding ancient quasars
Astronomers have observed the faint light from stars in the host galaxies of three ancient quasars, revealing clues to how the earliest supermassive black holes and galaxies evolved. The study suggests that some of the earliest
Star bars show Universe’s early galaxies evolved much faster than previously thought
A new study using the James Webb Space Telescope found that the universe's early galaxies developed and matured much faster than previously believed. Almost 20% of disc galaxies observed had bar formations, indicating a more settled stage in galaxy evolution.
Physicists solve puzzle about ancient galaxy found by Webb telescope
A massive ancient galaxy, JWST-ER1g, has been found to have a high dark matter density, puzzling physicists. Researchers offer an explanation that suggests a mechanism compressing the dark matter halo could be responsible for the high density.
JWST reveals a massive and ancient galaxy that challenges our models of the young Universe
Astronomers have made unprecedentedly detailed observations of an early galaxy merger using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The findings suggest that stars developed much faster and more efficiently than expected, contradicting current models of galaxy formation.