The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided remarkable insights into the early universe, capturing some of the most distant galaxies ever observed. Among these discoveries are unusual red and large galaxies, now referred to as Ultrared Flattened Objects (UFO) galaxies. Scientists are delving into their structure and characteristics to uncover their mysteries.
These UFO galaxies, believed to contain significantly more dust than nearby galaxies, emit very faint light. This makes them invisible to the Hubble Space Telescope but detectable by the highly sensitive sensors of the JWST. This sensitivity has allowed astronomers to identify and study these elusive objects.
Researchers have used advanced simulations to conclude that UFO galaxies may have evolved similarly to the Milky Way. They likely formed through a gradual process involving mergers of smaller galaxies, assembling into larger, more complex systems.
The surprising discovery of such massive and intricate galaxies so early in the universe challenges long-held views. Scientists had previously thought structures like the Milky Way took billions of years to form, leaving the rapid assembly of these UFO galaxies an unresolved puzzle.
Much of the light from these galaxies is emitted in the infrared spectrum, explaining why JWST is uniquely suited to detect them. By studying these galaxies, astronomers hope to better understand the evolution of galaxies and the nature of the early universe.