Unveiling the Astonishing Metal Content of Young Galaxies

Researchers studying "teenage" galaxies, which formed in the first 3 billion years after the Big Bang, have made surprising discoveries. These galaxies contain heavy metal elements like nickel, which is rarely observed even in nearby galaxies. The galaxies also have higher temperatures, with hot pockets reaching over 13,350 degrees Celsius. The observations were conducted as part of the CECILIA Survey using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), aiming to understand the differences in galaxy evolution and the physics behind them. The study pays homage to Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, a pioneer in studying the chemical makeup of stars.