Researchers used the largest JWST survey so far, COSMOS-Web, to map the cosmic web with unprecedented detail. The study follows galaxies across 13.7 billion years and reaches back to times when the universe was only about one billion years old. JWST's infrared sensitivity and sharp imaging let astronomers detect many faint, distant galaxies and place each galaxy in the correct slice of cosmic time.
Lead author Hossein Hatamnia (University of California, Riverside and Carnegie Observatories) said JWST has changed our view of the universe. His advisor, Bahram Mobasher, noted the new map gives far more information than earlier Hubble maps and can show the web even when the universe was only a few hundred million years old.
The study appears in The Astrophysical Journal. The team released a catalog of 164,000 galaxies and their cosmic density, an evolving video of the web, and public data tools. International collaborators worked on the project, which received support from EU Horizon 2020 grants.
Difficult words
- survey — large research project to collect data
- map — visual representation of an area or subjectmaps
- infrared — type of light with longer wavelength than visible
- detect — find or notice something not easily seen
- catalog — organized list of items or data
- density — amount of matter or objects per volume
- evolve — change gradually or develop over timeevolving
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How important do you think maps of the cosmic web are for our understanding of the universe? Why?
- The team released public data tools and a large catalog. How could these resources help students or amateur astronomers?
- The article says JWST gives more information than earlier Hubble maps. In what ways might better data change scientific research or public interest?
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