Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered M1149-BSG-z5, a barred spiral galaxy candidate that dates back to less than 1.2 billion years after the Big Bang. This significant finding, reported on June 23, 2026, sheds light on the formation of galaxies in the early universe.
Discovery of M1149-BSG-z5
The discovery of M1149-BSG-z5 was led by astronomer Xiaohan Wang from Tsinghua University. The galaxy is located at a redshift of z = 5.102, indicating its extreme distance and age. The researchers utilized both the JWST and the Hubble Space Telescope to analyze its properties, revealing that it possesses a stellar mass of approximately 28 billion solar masses and is forming stars at a rate of about 145 solar masses per year.
Using a technique known as isophotal analysis, the team studied the galaxy's brightness contours, leading to the identification of its elongated stellar bar, a feature typically seen in more mature galaxies. This finding suggests that the formation of bars in galaxies occurred much earlier than previously thought.
Characteristics of Barred Spiral Galaxies
Barred spiral galaxies, like M1149-BSG-z5, are characterized by their unique structural formations. These elongated bars of stars help channel gas toward the galactic center, potentially triggering star formation and feeding supermassive black holes. In the case of M1149-BSG-z5, the researchers noted the presence of spiral arms, indicating a more complex structure.
