A Disturbance in Space-Time Allows Webb to Uncover Earendel – The Furthest Star Ever Found

by Santiago Fernandez
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fokus keyword Earendel

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The James Webb Space Telescope’s image of a huge galaxy cluster, WHL0137-08, houses the universe’s most significantly magnified galaxy within its initial billion years: the Sunrise Arc. Inside this galaxy lies the most distant star ever found, named Earendel. Originally spotted by the Hubble Space Telescope, Webb’s NIRCam has revealed the star as a gigantic B-type, over double the heat of our Sun and about a million times brighter.

In the image, the Sunrise Arc is found just below a diffraction spike at the 5 o’clock position, while other features are part of the gravity-bound galaxy cluster. Background galaxies with redder hues were captured by Webb’s sensitive mirror.

Observations Suggest That Earendel May Have a Companion Star

The detection of incredibly distant stars gives us an understanding of our universe’s early history. In 2022, Hubble found the furthest star ever, nicknamed Earendel. Confirming its distance is just the start; the James Webb Space Telescope has revealed its type and information about its host galaxy. Future studies may uncover details about brightness, temperature, and composition.

A massive galaxy cluster WHL0137-08 is depicted in an image by the James Webb Space Telescope, which includes the Sunrise Arc, the most magnified galaxy, and the furthest star detected, Earendel. Earendel is revealed to be a B-type star, more than twice as hot as the Sun. There are indications that stars of this mass might have companions, and although Webb wasn’t expected to find any, the colors of Earendel hint at a cooler companion star.

Colors of Earendel Unveiled by Webb Space Telescope

Webb’s NIRCam instrument has built on Hubble’s findings of the most remote star detected in the distant universe. Earendel, a massive B-type star, is more than twice as hot as our Sun.

Earendel’s Discovery and Observation

Situated in the Sunrise Arc galaxy, Earendel’s detection was possible due to the combined effort of technology and nature through gravitational lensing. The positioning behind a space-time distortion created by the massive galaxy cluster WHL0137-08 allowed both Hubble and Webb to detect the star. The galaxy cluster’s immense size creates a magnifying effect that aids astronomers.

Magnification and Record

Gravitational lensing makes Earendel appear as a single light point in Webb’s imaging, magnified by at least 4,000 times, marking it as the most distant star detected. Previous records, such as a gravitationally lensed star called Quyllur, have been surpassed.

Characteristics and Possible Companions

Large stars like Earendel may have companions. Although Webb wasn’t anticipated to discover any, the colors of Earendel hint at a cooler, redder companion star, detectable only with Webb.

The image displays various details including a color key showing the NIRCam filters used. Features of the Sunrise Arc are shown, including young star-forming regions and older star clusters.

Continuous Analysis and Future Findings

Current analysis of data from Webb’s NIRSpec will provide precise measurements for the Sunrise Arc galaxy and Earendel. Other distant stars have been detected since Earendel, but none as far. These discoveries have broadened the study of stellar physics, and scientists are hopeful that this could lead to the detection of the first generation of stars.

The James Webb Space Telescope, led by NASA and its international partners, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency, stands as the foremost space science observatory, unraveling solar system mysteries, exploring distant worlds, and investigating our universe’s structures and origins.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Earendel

What is Earendel, and how was it discovered?

Earendel is the most distant star ever detected, located in the Sunrise Arc galaxy within a massive galaxy cluster called WHL0137-08. It was initially discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope and later analyzed in more detail by the James Webb Space Telescope using an effect called gravitational lensing.

What type of star is Earendel, and what are its characteristics?

Earendel is identified as a massive B-type star. It is more than twice as hot as our Sun and about a million times more luminous. Observations by the James Webb Space Telescope hint at a possible cooler companion star.

How has the discovery of Earendel contributed to our understanding of the universe?

The detection of Earendel has opened new realms of study in stellar physics and the early universe. It has provided insights into the universe’s first billion years and may lead to the eventual detection of one of the very first generation of stars.

What role did the James Webb Space Telescope play in the discovery and analysis of Earendel?

The James Webb Space Telescope followed up on Hubble’s initial discovery, revealing Earendel to be a B-type star and providing insights into its characteristics. Webb’s instruments allowed for the detection of possible companion stars and offered a deeper understanding of the star’s surrounding galaxy.

What is gravitational lensing, and how did it help in detecting Earendel?

Gravitational lensing is an effect where the gravitational force of a massive object, like a galaxy cluster, bends and magnifies the light from objects behind it. In the case of Earendel, the galaxy cluster WHL0137-08 created a wrinkle in space-time, which acted like a magnifying glass, allowing the star to be detectable by both Hubble and Webb.

How is Webb’s NIRCam instrument significant in the observation of Earendel?

Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument was vital in revealing details about Earendel, such as its type and characteristics. It detected hints of a cooler companion star and provided information about its massive size, temperature, and luminosity.

More about fokus keyword Earendel

  • NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope
  • European Space Agency (ESA)
  • Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
  • Hubble Space Telescope

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