The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) has provided new insights into early star formation by capturing images of over 33,000 young stars in the NGC 346 nebula, located in the Small Magellanic Cloud galaxy. This galaxy, one of the Milky Way’s closest neighbors, is a unique environment for studying early galaxies due to its lack of metals heavier than hydrogen and helium. The new findings challenge previous beliefs about the formation of cosmic dust and terrestrial planets, as Webb detected “ribbons of gas and dust” in the interstellar medium of NGC 347, despite its low metal content. This suggests that the necessary building blocks for rocky planetary systems can form even in low-metal environments. The Webb telescope’s high-resolution imaging capabilities have allowed for the detection of dust around stars, providing valuable information about the early universe.
Key Takeaways:
- The James Webb Space Telescope has captured an image that provides insight into how early stars formed during “cosmic noon” over 10 billion years ago.
- The telescope’s high-resolution imaging has enabled astronomers to discover more than 33,000 young stars within the NGC 346 nebula, the brightest and largest star formation region in the Small Magellanic Cloud galaxy.
- Despite being low on metals, the NGC 347 area was found to contain “ribbons of gas and dust” in the interstellar medium, suggesting it has the necessary elements to form rocky planetary systems.
“A new image produced by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST, or Webb) sheds light on how early stars formed during “cosmic noon” more than 10 billion years ago.”
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