Astronomers Discover A Massive Distant Spiral Galaxy from the Early Universe f3u1j

JWST), have identified a massive and distant spiral galaxy, named Zhúlóng, as reported by phys.org. With a redshift of approximately 5.2, this discovery places the galaxy in a time when the universe was less than a billion years old. Zhúlóng, characterized by its grand-design spiral structure, exhibits an expansive stellar disk and a quiescent core, marking a significant milestone in understanding the evolution of galaxies. This breakthrough highlights the early formation of mature galactic structures.

Zhúlóng: Insights from the JWST PANORAMIC Survey 1hs2x

spiral arms form a well-defined grand-design structure. The quiescent core, observed as red and densely packed, contrasts with the star-forming outer disk, indicating a transformation phase from active star formation to quiescence.

Characteristics of the Galaxy 182340

Zhúlóng's star-formation rate was estimated at 66 solar masses per year, considered moderate for a galaxy of its size and epoch, as per reports. The conversion efficiency of baryons to stars in this galaxy was calculated to be approximately 0.3, suring that of many later-formed galaxies. These findings suggest that Zhúlóng underwent efficient star formation in its early stages.

Implications for Galactic Evolution 1zd8

The discovery underscores the emergence of mature galactic structures much earlier than previously assumed. Zhúlóng, described as the most distant spiral galaxy identified to date, offers valuable insights into the processes of galaxy formation and evolution in the early universe.