Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have detected complex organic molecules, resembling Earth’s smoke and smog, in a galaxy over 12 billion light-years away. This groundbreaking discovery challenges previous assumptions about the link between these molecules and star formation, with some regions showing organic molecules without new stars, and vice versa. The detection utilized gravitational lensing, where the alignment of two galaxies magnifies light, allowing for detailed observation of the distant galaxy, which was first identified by the South Pole Telescope in 2013.
This finding marks Webb’s first detection of complex molecules in the early universe, suggesting that while organic molecules are prevalent in space, their presence does not necessarily indicate star formation. Astronomers noted that previous theories linking these molecules to star birth might not apply to the universe’s early stages. The data sheds light on the nature of galaxy formation and the chemical processes within them. The research team, led by astronomers from Texas A&M University and other institutions, is optimistic about Webb’s potential to deepen our understanding of cosmic chemistry and galaxy formation in the universe’s infancy, paving the way for further discoveries.
