Looking into the depths of the universe is like looking back in time. Distant galaxies appear to us as they were two to three billion years ago. And now astronomers have detected heavier elements, such as nickel, in “young” galaxies that existed within three billion years after the Big Bang.
All of these distant galaxies form part of the long-sought puzzle of the early universe. As researchers try to use observations of these ancient galaxies to learn more about the evolution of the universe, they almost always continue to encounter more questions.
Data from the James Webb space telescope have revealed surprisingly high amounts of nickel in early “young” galaxies that existed two to three billion years after the Big Bang, according to new observations led by a team of astrophysicists at Northwestern University. These galaxies appear to be much hotter than expected, as well as containing heavier elements.
The researchers looked at 33 distant galaxies over a continuous 30-hour period. Astronomers then combined the wavelengths of light collected from 23 galaxies to create an intriguing composite image showing the various average temperatures and elements they believe may call these galaxies home.
Among the heavier elements present in the composition, astronomers believe that these “young” galaxies are rich in nickel, an element rarely observed in galaxies, including older galaxies near us. Moreover, astronomers say that even after many series of supernovae in galaxies, these levels are still very high.
A paper about the discovery has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, detailing the observations the team made as well as how they arrived at their conclusions. Additionally, this composition showed trace amounts of hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, sulfur and argon. The presence of these lighter elements was expected, but astronomers say it is truly surprising to find such high amounts of nickel in these “young” galaxies.
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