The star, nicknamed Earendel, was first discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope. Follow-up observations using Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) reveals the star to be a massive B-type star more than twice as hot as our Sun, and about a million times more luminous.
Earendel is positioned along a wrinkle in spacetime that gives it extreme magnification, allowing it to emerge into view from its host galaxy, which appears as a red smear across the sky. The star is detectable only due to the combined power of human technology and nature via an effect called gravitational lensing.
In this image, the Sunrise Arc appears just below the diffraction spike at the 5 o’clock position. The fuzzier, white galaxies at the center of the image are part of the galaxy cluster bound together by gravity. The various redder, curved galaxies are background galaxies picked up by Webb’s sensitive mirror.
Image Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA
In an unprecedented astronomical breakthrough, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has surpassed the Hubble Space Telescope by detecting the farthest star ever observed in the universe. Named Earendel, this massive B-type star resides in the Sunrise Arc galaxy, existing during the first billion years after the big bang. The combined power of human technology and gravitational lensing made this groundbreaking discovery possible. Webb’s NIRCam instrument has unveiled remarkable details about Earendel, shedding light on its characteristics and potential companion star.
Unveiling Earendel:
Earendel, more than twice as hot as the Sun and a million times more luminous, was detected through the elusive phenomenon of gravitational lensing. Positioned behind the colossal galaxy cluster WHL0137-08, Earendel’s light was magnified by a factor of at least 4,000, enabling its detection. Despite the magnification, Earendel only appears as a single point of light even in Webb’s high-resolution imaging. This observation confirms it as the most distant star ever detected, existing a mere 1 billion years after the big bang.
Hints of a Companion:
The study of Earendel’s colors has led astronomers to speculate the presence of a cooler companion star. Webb’s NIRCam detected light wavelengths stretched by the expansion of the universe, providing evidence that Hubble’s instruments couldn’t capture. While the proximity of the potential companion star makes it indistinguishable in the sky, its influence on Earendel’s colors hints at its existence.
The Sunrise Arc:
Webb’s observations of the Sunrise Arc, the most highly magnified galaxy discovered in the universe’s early stages, have unveiled fascinating details. The region exhibits both young star-forming areas and older established star clusters. The gravitational lensing effect distorts these features, mirroring them on either side of the magnification wrinkle. Astronomers estimate the star-forming region to be at least 10 million years old, while the older star cluster predates it, potentially offering insights into the formation of globular clusters in our Milky Way.
Future Prospects:
Webb’s NIRSpec instrument is currently analyzing data from the Sunrise Arc galaxy and Earendel, aiming to provide precise measurements of the galaxy’s composition and distance. The discoveries made by Webb, including Earendel and other distant stars, have revolutionized stellar physics and expanded the realm of early universe exploration. Astronomers hope that these findings will eventually lead to the detection of the first-generation stars, composed solely of hydrogen and helium.
Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument reveals the star, nicknamed Earendel, to be a massive B-type star more than twice as hot as our Sun, and about a million times more luminous. Stars of this mass often have companions. Astronomers did not expect Webb to reveal any companions of Earendel since they would be so close together and indistinguishable on the sky. However, based solely on the colors of Earendel detected by Webb, astronomers think they see hints of a cooler companion star.
Image Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA
The detection of Earendel, the most distant star ever observed, has demonstrated the remarkable capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope. By leveraging gravitational lensing, Webb has provided valuable insights into the early universe and opened new avenues for scientific exploration. Webb’s collaboration with NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency continues to unravel the mysteries of our universe, providing a deeper understanding of our place within it.
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