Feb 20 β€’ 09:30 UTC πŸ‡¬πŸ‡· Greece Naftemporiki

A cosmic jellyfish spotted by James Webb (video)

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope captured a stunning image of a galaxy known as COSMOS2020-635829, which existed 8.5 billion years ago and may provide insights into galaxy evolution during a crucial period of the Universe's 'teenage' years.

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have successfully captured a remarkable image of a galaxy referred to as COSMOS2020-635829, which existed approximately 8.5 billion years ago, translating to about 5.3 billion years after the Big Bang. This observation is significant as it may provide a more detailed understanding of galaxy evolution during a pivotal phase in the Universe's development, often described as its 'teenage' years. The galaxy falls under the category of 'jellyfish galaxies' due to their extended gas tails that resemble the flexible tentacles of ocean jellyfish.

The formation of these gas tails occurs as jellyfish galaxies navigate through their host galaxy clusters, where they are subjected to powerful winds that strip away their gas in a process referred to as 'stripping.' This phenomenon is crucial for studying how galaxies interact with their environments, and understanding this process could reveal insights into the life cycles of galaxies as they evolve. The identification of COSMOS2020-635829 highlights the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope in exploring the early Universe and shedding light on the formation and evolution of galaxies.

This discovery not only enhances our knowledge of cosmic structures but also underscores the cutting-edge nature of astronomical research enabled by modern technology like the James Webb Space Telescope. By examining distant galaxies such as COSMOS2020-635829, scientists can potentially unlock secrets about the early Universe's conditions and the processes that have shaped the cosmos as we know it today.

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