The James Webb Space Telescope has just revealed a new category of massive, red galaxies, dubbed Ultra-red Flattened Objects (UFOs - a playful nod to another well-known acronym). These objects, which were invisible to Hubble, could challenge our understanding of galaxy formation.
A team from the University of Colorado at Boulder identified these galaxies thanks to JWST's infrared capabilities. Unlike classical galaxies, UFOs emit very little visible light, making them undetectable before. Their intense red color and flattened shape puzzle scientists.
Researchers analyzed 56 of these galaxies through the JADES program. They discovered that these UFOs contain significantly more interstellar dust than the Milky Way. This dust, residue from dead stars, blocks much of the light emitted by the galaxies themselves.
Computer simulations suggest UFOs share a disk-like shape similar to our galaxy. However, their composition and appearance differ radically, raising new questions about their evolution. Astrophysicists wonder about the origin of this abundant dust.
The study, published in
The Astrophysical Journal, highlights JWST's importance for exploring the Universe. According to researchers, these discoveries show our understanding of galaxies remains incomplete. UFOs might be more common than previously thought.
Future JWST observations will allow detailed study of these galaxies. Scientists hope to unravel the mystery of their formation and growth. This research could also shed light on star birth processes in extremely dusty environments.
Meanwhile, UFOs continue to shake up current theories. Their existence opens a new window on galactic diversity. JWST, with its unique capabilities, promises to reveal many more surprises in the coming years.
Why are UFO galaxies so red?
UFO galaxies appear red because they emit mainly in infrared. This characteristic comes from massive amounts of interstellar dust that absorbs visible light and re-emits it as infrared radiation.
Interstellar dust consists of tiny solid particles from dying stars' remnants. These particles block visible light, explaining why these galaxies were invisible to the Hubble telescope, which only detects that light range.
The James Webb Telescope, capable of detecting infrared, revealed these objects. This discovery shows the Universe contains previously hidden galaxies, challenging our models of galactic formation and evolution.
Researchers believe studying these galaxies could provide clues about extreme conditions in the early Universe, where star and dust formation was much more intense than today.