Free Astronomy Magazine November-December 2024

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2024 “We know that this galaxy does not have Population III stars, because the Webb data shows too much chemical complexity. However, its stars are different than what we are familiar with – the exotic stars in this galaxy could be a guide for un- derstanding how galaxies transi- tioned from primordial stars to the types of galaxies we already know,” said Katz. At this point, galaxy 9422 is one example of this phase of galaxy de- velopment, so there are still many questions to be answered. Are these conditions common in galaxies at this time period, or a rare occur- rence? What more can they tell us about even earlier phases of galaxy evolution? Cameron, Katz, and their research colleagues are actively identifying more galaxies to add to this population to better under- stand what was happening in the universe within the first billion years after the big bang. “It’s a very exciting time, to be able to use the Webb telescope to ex- plore this time in the universe that was once inaccessible,” Cameron said. “We are just at the beginning of new discoveries and understand- ing.” !