JWST Discovers Organic Molecules in Faintest Galaxy at Dawn of Universe.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected organic molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a galaxy more than 12 billion light years away, providing insight into the early Universe. PAHs are usually found where stars are forming, but in this case, they’re not. The discovery required advanced technology, skill, and some fortuitous luck, as the JWST provided the technology with its keen infrared observing capabilities, and a foreground galaxy only 3 billion light years away lined up with the distant galaxy provided the luck. The link between PAHs and star formation is not as strong as once thought, and more observations are needed to understand the mismatch.