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Webb spots the birth of a giant galaxy and a supermassive black hole

Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe a massive galaxy forming in the early universe. The system, identified as TGSSJ1530+1049, consists of at least six galaxies likely merging into one enormous system. A growing supermassive black hole is located at the center of this complex.

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New data identifies a specific multi-galaxy complex and a supermassive black hole over 12 billion light-years away.

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  1. Webb Telescope Observes Formation of Giant Galaxy and Supermassive Black Hole

    Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe a massive galaxy forming in the early universe. The system, identified as TGSSJ1530+1049, consists of at least six galaxies likely merging into one enormous system. A growing supermassive black hole is located at the center of this complex.

    What's confirmed:

    • The James Webb Space Telescope observed a compact group of at least six galaxies likely to merge into a single enormous system.
    • The system is named TGSSJ1530+1049 and is located more than 12 billion light-years away.
    • The observed system existed when the universe was approximately 1.5 billion years old.
    • A growing supermassive black hole is situated at the center of this galaxy complex.
    • The international study was led by astronomers from the University of Oxford and Leiden University.
    • Findings were published in The Open Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy & Astrophysics.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The galaxy cluster XLSSC 122 contains a dark matter core packed too tightly for cosmic noon.
    • Monster stars leaking nitrogen in an early galaxy may have been the source of ancient supermassive black holes.
    confidence 100%