Graphic courtesy S. Doyle \/ J. Spilker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTexas A&M University astronomer\u00a0Justin Spilker explained: \u201cBy combining Webb\u2019s amazing capabilities with a natural \u2018cosmic magnifying glass,\u2019 we were able to see even more detail than we otherwise could.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat level of magnification is actually what made us interested in looking at this galaxy with Webb in the first place because it really lets us see all the rich details of what makes up a galaxy in the early universe that we could never do otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n
What organic molecules were discovered?<\/h3>\n
Webb\u2019s spectroscopic data revealed that the obscured interstellar gas in SPT0418-47 is rich in heavy elements, suggesting that stars have already lived and died in the galaxy.<\/p>\n
The organic molecules discovered are called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), which are emitted by combustion engines or forest fires on Earth. These organic molecules comprise carbon chains that are essential in forming life as we know it.<\/p>\n
Vieira concluded: \u201cWe didn\u2019t expect this. Detecting these complex organic molecules at such a vast distance is game-changing regarding future observations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis work is just the first step, and we\u2019re just now learning how to use it and learn its capabilities. We are very excited to see how this plays out.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
US researchers have identified complex organic molecules 12 billion light-years from Earth using NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":33702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[771],"tags":[3477,809],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Webb detects complex organic molecules 12 billion light-years from Earth<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n