Galaxies typically undergo eons before their star-forming materials are depleted. However, astronomers have discovered a galaxy, JADES-GS-z7-01-QU, that ceased forming stars when the Universe was a mere 700 million years old, a puzzle that an international team of astronomers is eager to solve.
This ancient galaxy challenges current cosmological theories as it was found in a ‘quenched’ state by the JWST’s Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES), prompting queries on why it stopped star formation so early.
Tobias Looser from the Kavli Institute for Cosmology at the University of Cambridge explains that in the Universe’s youth, galaxies typically had ample gas for stellar birth. In contrast, JADES-GS-z7-01-QU seemed to rapidly exhaust its resources shortly after forming.
The Cessation of Star Formation in Galaxies
It’s generally accepted that galaxy quenching happens over long periods rather than abruptly, raising significant questions about this unique case.
A period of vigorous star formation was detected, lasting between 30 to 90 million years, before JADES-GS-z7-01-QU suddenly halted. Theories include a supermassive black hole consuming the material or ejecting it from the galaxy, or perhaps the galaxy used its gas resources too quickly.
Investigating the Mysterious Galaxy’s Early Death
The events leading to the galaxy’s rapid quenching remain unclear, with JWST data yet to provide definitive answers. This uncertainty highlights potential inadequacies in models grounded in observations of the modern universe and suggests the need for further study.
More observations with JWST are anticipated to provide clues about the lifecycle of early galaxies and uncover whether galaxies like JADES-GS-z7-01-QU could reignite star formation after a quiescent period.
Originally published by Universe Today, this article was based on their comprehensive report. Access the original article for more details.
FAQs About the Quenched Galaxy JADES-GS-z7-01-QU
- What does it mean when a galaxy is “quenched”?
- A quenched galaxy is one that has stopped forming new stars. This happens when the galaxy no longer has a sufficient supply of gas and dust which are the fundamental building blocks for star formation.
- How old was the universe when JADES-GS-z7-01-QU stopped star formation?
- The universe was only about 700 million years old when JADES-GS-z7-01-QU was found to be in a quenched state, which is strikingly early in the cosmic timeline.
- What could have caused JADES-GS-z7-01-QU to quench so early?
- Possible causes include a supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s center consuming gas, or powerful winds and jets expelling the material into space, or a rapid depletion of the galaxy’s gas due to an intense period of star formation.
- How will further observations with JWST help our understanding?
- Additional JWST data will allow astronomers to discover more quenched galaxies from the early universe, understand the processes that lead to their quenching, and test if current models of galaxy formation and evolution need to be updated.
- Is it possible for a quenched galaxy to reignite star formation?
- While JADES-GS-z7-01-QU appeared dead at the time of observation, it’s possible that the quenching could have been temporary. Galaxies may resume star formation if they receive a new supply of gas, potentially through collisions with other galaxies.
Conclusion
The discovery of the prematurely quenched galaxy JADES-GS-z7-01-QU has presented astronomers with a fascinating enigma from the dawn of the universe. This finding challenges the notion of how galaxies evolve and cease to form stars. Ongoing investigations using the sophisticated tools of the JWST will continue to unearth details about these early galaxies, potentially reshaping our understanding of cosmic history. The quest to unravel the mysteries of JADES-GS-z7-01-QU exemplifies the relentless pursuit of knowledge that defines the field of astronomy.