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A team of international astronomers has used the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to uncover previously hidden galaxies in the Spiderweb protocluster. These findings challenge earlier assumptions about the role of gravitational interactions in dense cosmic regions, offering fresh insights into galaxy formation within these large-scale structures.
The Spiderweb protocluster, a well-d 
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 05, 2024
A team of international astronomers has used the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to uncover previously hidden galaxies in the Spiderweb protocluster. These findings challenge earlier assumptions about the role of gravitational interactions in dense cosmic regions, offering fresh insights into galaxy formation within these large-scale structures.
The Spiderweb protocluster, a well-documented structure from the early Universe, provides a glimpse of a forming galaxy cluster. Its light, originating over 10 billion years ago, reveals a network of over a hundred known galaxies. To delve deeper into its complexities, researchers employed Webb's advanced infrared capabilities, enabling them to peer through cosmic dust and unveil obscured regions of this protocluster.
"We are observing the build-up of one of the largest structures in the Universe, a city of galaxies in construction," said Jose M. Perez-Martinez of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias and the Universidad de La Laguna in Spain. "Unlike the older and less active galaxies in today's galaxy clusters, we're witnessing these objects during their formative years. Webb is giving us critical insights into how such structures grow and evolve."
Using only 3.5 hours of observing time with Webb, astronomers analyzed hydrogen gas to identify new cluster members and assess their levels of dust obscuration. The results were surprising.
"As expected, we found new galaxy cluster members, but we were surprised to find more than expected," noted Rhythm Shimakawa of Waseda University in Japan. "Moreover, the previously known members, resembling typical star-forming galaxies like the Milky Way, were not as dust-obscured as anticipated."
Helmut Dannerbauer of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias in Spain explained this phenomenon further. "This suggests that the growth of these galaxies is not primarily driven by interactions or mergers that spark star formation. Instead, their development appears fueled by gas accumulating across the protocluster's expansive structure."
The research team aims to deepen their exploration of these newfound galaxies through spectroscopic observations with Webb, seeking to confirm their status as cluster members and better understand their properties.
Research Report:JWST/NIRCam Narrowband Survey of Pass Emitters in the Spiderweb Protocluster at z = 2.16
Research Report:JWST/NIRCam Pass Narrowband Imaging Reveals Ordinary Dust Extinction for Ha Emitters within the Spiderweb Protocluster at z = 2.16
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