The Mysterious Supermassive Stars
The James Webb Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the universe by uncovering the first chemical traces of supermassive stars, which astronomers have dubbed “celestial monsters.” These colossal stars, with a brightness equivalent to millions of Suns, existed in the early universe and have eluded detection until now. European researchers, who previously theorized their existence in 2018, have finally found evidence to support their groundbreaking hypothesis.
Unraveling the Mystery of Globular Clusters
For decades, astronomers have been perplexed by the perplexing diversity in the chemical composition of stars within globular clusters—ancient stellar clusters containing millions of stars within a relatively small space. These clusters, considered a bridge between the first stars and galaxies, have sparked curiosity about the origins of their varied chemical elements. Despite being born from the same gas cloud at approximately the same time, these stars exhibit an astonishing range of chemical diversity.
The Rampaging Supermassive Star Theory
The team of European researchers proposes an intriguing explanation for the chemical variety within globular clusters. They suggest the presence of a rampaging supermassive star that expels chemical “pollution” into its surroundings. This colossal star, resembling a nuclear reactor, engulfs and absorbs neighboring stars through successive collisions within the tightly packed cluster. Over time, it ejects a substantial amount of matter, which feeds young forming stars in the vicinity, enriching them with a wide array of chemical elements.
Observations Supporting the Theory
To substantiate their theory, researchers turned their gaze toward the galaxy GN-z11, situated over 13 billion light years away. This galaxy, discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2015, provided an ideal opportunity to test the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to Hubble. By examining the light emitted from GN-z11, which originated just 440 million years after the Big Bang, astronomers found the long-awaited evidence of supermassive stars.
The James Webb Telescope’s Remarkable Discovery
The James Webb Space Telescope, with its exceptional sensitivity and advanced capabilities, has shed light on the existence of these celestial monsters. The telescope’s observations of GN-z11 have confirmed the presence of a supermassive star with an estimated mass between 5,000 and 10,000 times that of our Sun. This discovery marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the early universe, providing insights into the birth and evolution of stars and galaxies.