In the vast expanse of the cosmos, a remarkable discovery has been made: a colossal galaxy from the nascent universe nestled within cosmic dust clouds. The observed galaxy boasts an almost equal count of stars as our Milky Way and stands out for its prodigious star formation rate — a hundredfold of that in the Milky Way. This groundbreaking research has been facilitated by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and further advancements in the quality of related research are anticipated with the forthcoming launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
A Glimpse into ALMA’s Role in the Discovery
ALMA is an international collaboration that brings together several prominent institutions including the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) from Japan. Additionally, NRC (Canada), NSC and ASIAA (Taiwan), and KASI (Republic of Korea) have contributed to this cooperative effort, with operations executed in partnership with the Republic of Chile.
Essentially, ALMA is a solitary telescope made up of 66 precision antennas, stationed at the Chajnantor plateau in northern Chile. This unique setup significantly aided in the detection of the newly discovered galaxy amidst cosmic dust clouds.
The Future Agenda: The James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope, colloquially known as JWST or simply Webb, promises to elevate the calibre of research concerning cosmic dust clouds. This large infrared telescope, equipped with a 6.5-meter primary mirror, is set to be launched aboard an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana in 2021.
Webb’s mission is comprehensive. It aims to investigate every phase of our Universe’s history, from the initial luminous flashes post the Big Bang to the formation of solar systems with the potential to foster life on earthlike planets, and even our own Solar System’s evolution. The JWST represents a shared undertaking between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Table of Facts: Galaxy vs Milky Way
| Parameters | Galaxy | Milky Way |
|---|---|---|
| Star Count | Almost Equal | Approximately Same |
| Star Formation Rate | 100 Times More | Normal |
Understanding Cosmic Dust
Cosmic dust is an intriguing phenomenon. It comprises minuscule solid material particles drifting in the interstellar space. Resembling smoke, these particles vary in size from small collections of molecules to grains measuring 0.1 mm. Notably, cosmic dust is extremely influential in the birth of young stars and planets in the cosmos.
