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Summary:
Indian astronomers, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), have discovered a remarkably distant spiral galaxy named “Alaknanda.” The galaxy, found unexpectedly while analyzing data from the UNCOVER survey, existed only 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, challenging current galaxy formation models that suggest spiral galaxies take billions of years to develop. The discovery highlights the power of the JWST and meticulous data analysis, and it also underscores the need for continued investment in Indian astronomy to ensure greater participation in future discoveries. Researchers are planning further observations to determine how Alaknanda formed its mature spiral structure so early in the universe. The existence of this early spiral galaxy pushes the boundaries of current understanding and may require refinements to existing cosmological simulations.
News Article:
Indian Astronomers Discover Ancient Spiral Galaxy, Challenging Cosmic Timelines
BENGALURU – An Indian team of astronomers has identified the second-farthest spiral galaxy ever observed, a celestial structure dating back to just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. The galaxy, dubbed “Alaknanda” after a river in Uttarakhand, was discovered using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and is prompting a re-evaluation of galaxy formation theories.
The unexpected finding came as Rashi Jain, a PhD student at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics in Pune, was analyzing public JWST data. “Should this exist so early in the universe?” was the first question that popped in her head. Analysis revealed that Alaknanda possesses well-defined spiral arms and a central bulge, features not typically expected in galaxies so early in the universe’s history. New stars were forming at a rate of about 60 solar masses per year.
“The discovery is serendipitous and the result reflects the power of JWST-quality data and meticulous analysis,” said Girish Kulkarni, a professor at the Department of Theoretical Physics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.
Current cosmological models suggest spiral galaxies require billions of years to form stable, rotating disks. Alaknanda’s existence at such an early epoch challenges these models. “Current simulations don’t yield spiral galaxies with this degree of structure at z ~ 4,” Prof. Kulkarni noted, indicating a need to refine the ingredients used in simulations.
Scientists are now exploring possible explanations, including the rapid accumulation of cold gas or a merger with a smaller galaxy. The team plans to conduct further observations with JWST and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to gather more data and understand the mechanisms behind Alaknanda’s early spiral structure.
The discovery is a significant achievement for Indian astronomy, highlighting the growing expertise and capabilities of the nation’s scientific community. It also underlines the need for increased investment in astronomy infrastructure, training programs, and international collaborations to ensure India’s continued participation in cutting-edge research.
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