Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Galaxies are a fascinating subject of study and provide critical insights into the universe’s evolution. Studying galaxies has always fascinated astronomers, astrophysicists, and cosmologists alike. The oldest known galaxy in the universe is GN-z11, with a redshift value of 11.1, corresponding to a distance of approximately 32 billion light-years from Earth. This galaxy is the oldest known galaxy in the universe and the farthest. The discovery of this galaxy has been a significant juncture in our knowledge of the universe and has sparked a debate on whether it challenges the big bang theory.

Once upon a time

A galaxy is a massive system of stars, dust, gas, and other celestial bodies held together by gravity. These systems can range in size from tiny dwarf galaxies containing a few million stars to giant elliptical galaxies containing trillions of stars.

Galaxies come in different shapes, sizes, and colors and can be classified based on appearance. Some common types of galaxies are spiral, elliptical, and irregular. As their name suggests, irregular galaxies have irregular shapes and lack a well-defined structure. Spiral galaxies are characterized by their spiral arms and central bulge, while elliptical galaxies have a more rounded and featureless shape.

Galaxies also play an essential role in the universe’s evolution, as they are the basic building blocks of large-scale structures. They can contain black holes, nebulae, and other celestial objects, and their interactions with other galaxies can result in the formation of new stars and the destruction of old ones.

General relativity and spacetime

The relationship between space and time is fundamental in studying the universe. Einstein’s theory of relativity states that space and time are inextricably linked, forming a four-dimensional continuum known as spacetime. This theory implies that any event in the universe can be described by its position in spacetime, where space and time are intimately connected. In other words, as objects move through space, they also move through time, and this motion through spacetime is affected by the presence of massive objects, which can cause space and time to warp and curve. This concept has important implications for our understanding of gravity, the behavior of light, and the universe’s structure as a whole.

The big bang theory is the predominant cosmological standard that explains the universe’s origin. According to this theory, everything began as a singularity, a state of infinite density and temperature. This singularity then rapidly expanded in an event known as the big bang, which occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago. The big bang theory clarifies the cosmic microwave background radiation and the number of light elements in the universe. However, the big bang theory is not without its critics, and the discovery of GN-z11 has reignited the debate on the universe’s age.

GN-z11

The age of GN-z11 has been estimated to be approximately 13.4 billion years old, which is only a few hundred million years younger than the universe calculated by the big bang theory. The discovery of this galaxy has led some scientists to speculate that it may be older than the big bang, challenging the fundamental assumptions of the big bang theory. However, this claim is highly controversial, and no scientific evidence supports it.

The galaxy was first identified by a team of scientists led by Yale astronomer Pieter van Dokkum using the Hubble Space Telescope in 2014. This discovery was confirmed by follow-up observations made by the Keck Observatory in Hawaii.

The age of GN-z11 has been estimated by observing the galaxy’s redshift value. Redshift is a phenomenon that occurs when light from a distant object is stretched as the object moves away from us. This stretching causes the light to shift towards the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the amount of this shift can be used to estimate the object’s distance. The galaxy’s age can then be estimated using the Hubble constant, a measure of the universe’s expansion rate. The age of GN-z11 has been estimated using this method, and the estimate is consistent with the universe’s age predicted by the big bang theory.

The size and composition of GN-z11, like most galaxies, are difficult to determine with precision. However, based on observations made with the Hubble Space Telescope, it is estimated that GN-z11 has a size of about 1,000 light-years across, which is relatively small compared to other galaxies. As for its composition, GN-z11 is primarily composed of hydrogen, with smaller amounts of helium and trace amounts of heavier elements. These elements were likely formed in the first generations of stars within GN-z11.

The discovery of GN-z11 has provided critical insights into the early universe. This galaxy is thought to have formed only 400 million years after the big bang. Its discovery has shed light on the appearance and evolution of galaxies in the early cosmos. The study of GN-z11 has also provided insights into the nature of dark matter, a mysterious substance that makes up approximately 27% of the universe. The properties of GN-z11 suggest that it is embedded in a halo of dark matter, which provides critical insights into the role of dark matter in galaxy formation.

The discovery of GN-z11 has been a significant milestone in our understanding of the universe. This galaxy is the oldest known galaxy in the universe and has challenged our understanding of the universe’s age. While the discovery of this galaxy has led some scientists to hypothesize that it may be older than the big bang, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. The age of GN-z11 has been estimated using the Hubble constant, and the estimate is consistent with the universe’s age predicted by the big bang theory. The study of GN-z11 has provided critical insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies in the early universe and the nature of dark matter.

Our journey has just begun

Studying the oldest known galaxy in the universe is merely the dawn of a new era of discovery and exploration that promises to further our insight into the universe and our place within it. The discovery of this galaxy has opened up new avenues of research in astrophysics and has the prospect of transforming our understanding of the universe’s origins and evolution. As we learn more about the universe’s most ancient objects, we may uncover even more surprising and transformative insights that challenge our existing theories and expand our understanding of the cosmos.

With the help of cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to data analysis, scientists are poised to make many more exciting discoveries about the universe’s history and composition in the years to come.