Furthest and Oldest Star Ever Detected

This week, the scientific journal Nature reported that the Hubble Telescope has surpassed all prior records by discovering the most distant star known to humanity.

Lead researcher Brian Welch from Johns Hopkins University named the star "Earendel," which translates to "morning star" in Old English. The light from this remarkable star is an incredible 12.9 billion years old, indicating that it existed when the Universe was only about 7% of its current age.

Gravitational Lensing Phenomenon

Typically, even the Hubble Telescope struggles to capture clear images of stars at such extreme distances. However, this star was located thanks to a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing.

This effect occurs when massive objects warp the fabric of space-time, creating a natural lens that magnifies distant objects. In this case, a galaxy cluster designated as WHL0137–08 lies between Earth and Earendel. Its gravitational field bends and amplifies the light emanating from this ancient star.

“Magnified and Distorted into a Crescent”

Professor Welch notes, "The galaxy housing this star has been magnified and distorted by gravitational lensing into a shape we refer to as the Sunrise Arc." This lensing effect results in a phenomenon known as a "caustic," akin to the patterns of bright light seen at the bottom of a pool when ripples disturb the surface.

As a result of this lensing, Earendel appears at least a thousand times more luminous than it would otherwise be, allowing it to be detected by the Hubble Telescope despite being surrounded by its own galaxy.

One of the Universe's Most Massive Stars

Earendel boasts a mass approximately 50 times that of our Sun and is millions of times more luminous. It is likely one of the most massive stars in existence. Typically, stars of this magnitude exist within binary systems, but it is currently unclear whether Earendel is accompanied by another star.

Researchers anticipate that the lensing effect will persist for several years, providing the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble's successor, an opportunity to study it further.

Aiming to Confirm Elemental Composition

Astronomers are particularly interested in confirming whether the Sunrise Arc contains any heavy elements. Establishing this would support the theory that only hydrogen and helium were present in the early Universe, with heavier elements forming later as the Universe expanded.

This capacity to look back in time through the observation of distant objects has been invaluable for cosmologists seeking to unravel the narrative of our Universe's beginnings. Without this effect, much of our understanding of events from eons ago would remain obscured.

Understanding the Universe and Humanity's Origins

As science continues to enhance its ability to utilize the travel time of light from distant celestial objects, we unlock more knowledge about the origins of the Universe. The cosmos is not just a distant void; it is our shared reality, intertwining the story of our existence with that of the Universe.

Professor Welch concluded, “With Webb, we may observe stars even further back than Earendel, which would be incredibly thrilling. We will continue to push the boundaries of our understanding.”

There is always more to uncover for those who dare to seek knowledge.

Learn more:

Record Broken: Hubble Spots Farthest Star Ever Seen

A highly magnified star at redshift 6.2

Newborn Stars Bringing Forth Solar Systems

Big Bang Afterglow Showing How Galaxies Form

Star Formation Started Earlier than Thought

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