Latest news with #COSMOS-Web
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever created
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now. The interactive online map, created using data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, details some 800,000 galaxies across a vast cosmic distance – which in astronomy amounts to peering back in time. In fact, some of the galaxies are so far away, they appear as they existed not long after the Big Bang. Depicting a section of the universe known as the COSMOS-Web field, the new map is far more expansive than even the iconic Hubble Ultra Deep Field, a view of 10,000 galaxies NASA released in 2004. Spanning nearly all of cosmic time, the new map has the potential to challenge existing notions of the infant universe, the astronomers who created it claimed in a press release. The best part? The interactive map is available for the public to use. A team of international scientists who are part of the Cosmic Evolution Survey program (COSMOS) created and released the map of the universe Thursday, June 5. Compiled from more than 10,000 images of COSMOS-Web – the largest observing program of James Webb Space Telescope's first year in orbit – the map covers about three times as much space as the moon takes up when viewed from Earth. That makes it the largest contiguous image available from Webb, according to the Rochester Institute of Technology, whose Jeyhan Kartaltepe is a lead researcher on the project. An intricate astral tapestry, the map gives stargazers digital views of the ancient cosmos in unprecedented detail and breadth. Scrolling and zooming in can take users some 13.5 billion years back in time when the universe was in its infancy and stars, galaxies and black holes were still forming. 'If you had a printout of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field on a standard piece of paper, our image would be slightly larger than a 13-foot by 13-foot-wide mural, at the same depth," Caitlin Casey, a physicist at the University of California, Santa Barbara and co-lead for the COSMOS project, said in a statement. "It's really strikingly large.' Explore the interactive map . Using its powerful resolution and infrared capabilities, the James Webb Space Telescope observed a region of space known as the COSMOS-web field, which scientists have been surveying for years. The raw data from the COSMOS field observations was made publicly available once it was collected by Webb, but that didn't mean it was easily accessible. That's why the COSMOS project spent two years creating the map from Webb's raw data to make it more digestible for amateur astronomers, researchers and even the general public. "In releasing the data to the public, the hope is that other astronomers from all over the world will use it to, among other things, further refine our understanding of how the early universe was populated and how everything evolved to the present day," according to a statement from UC Santa Barbara. The James Webb Space Telescope, which launched in 2021, far surpasses the abilities of the Hubble Space Telescope, launched 35 years ago in 1990. Orbiting the sun rather than Earth, the Webb is outfitted with a gold-coated mirror and powerful infrared instruments to observe the cosmos like no instrument before. Since reaching the cosmos, Webb has not only facilitated countless scientific breakthroughs in astrophysics, but it also has produced gorgeous images of planets and other celestial objects, including star-forming regions. In March, NASA also deployed into orbit its SPHEREx telescope to collect data on more than 450 million galaxies. Scientists say the SPHEREx observatory will be able to get a wider view of the galaxy – identifying objects of scientific interest that telescopes like Hubble and Webb can then study up close. SPHEREx became operational in May, constantly snapping images of the cosmos. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astronomers release largest interactive map of universe: Check it out
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Science
- Express Tribune
James Webb Telescope finds life? NASA unveils largest-ever map of the recorded universe
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled a record-breaking cosmic map, charting over 800,000 galaxies beyond the Milky Way in a mission that stretches the boundaries of astronomical research. It marks the most detailed and expansive map of the distant universe ever produced. The findings come from the COSMOS-Web project, a deep field survey covering just 0.54 square degrees of sky, yet offering a window into 98% of the universe's history. Conducted over 255 hours of continuous observation, the COSMOS-Web survey used JWST's advanced infrared sensors to peer across space and time. Webb observed these little green galaxies in Pandora's Cluster. Were they the cause of a massive cosmic makeover? In the universe's first billion years, it was immersed in a fog of neutral hydrogen gas. Today, this gas is ionized (stripped of its electrons). Which cosmic objects… — NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) June 12, 2025 Unlike visible light telescopes such as Hubble, JWST detects ancient infrared light—light stretched by the expansion of the universe and invisible to standard optical instruments. 'This project allows us to see galaxies and supermassive black holes not even visible with Hubble,' said Professor Caitlin Casey, one of the lead researchers. 'We're not just seeing more galaxies—we're seeing entirely different types than ever before.' The data reveals an unexpectedly dense population of galaxies in the early universe—up to 10 times more than anticipated within the first 500 million years after the Big Bang. In some cases, galaxies appear just 300 million years after the universe began, offering a glimpse into the earliest stages of cosmic formation. The COSMOS-Web initiative also stands out for its commitment to open science. After two years of data processing, the entire dataset is now available publicly. This transparency allows not just specialists, but also students and independent researchers to study and interpret the universe's infancy. The implications of the discovery are wide-ranging. From providing insights into the formation of early galaxies and black holes to enabling future research into cosmic structure, COSMOS-Web may serve as a foundational reference for years to come. With JWST continuing its mission, astronomers anticipate even more breakthroughs as they trace the evolution of the universe—from the smallest galaxies to the vast structures shaping space as we know it.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA's James Webb Telescope captures thousands of galaxies in one picture
In an awe-inspiring moment for space exploration, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has snapped a breathtaking photo featuring thousands of galaxies in one picture. The incredible landscape is a part of the COSMOS-Webb survey . It is one of the biggest surveys ever carried out by the telescope. The picture is a profound and dimensional window into the universe that extends for billions of years. It contains everything from star systems close by to distant galaxies created only a short time after the Big Bang. Every element contributes to how the universe has developed. As a result of Webb's strong infrared capabilities, scientists can now observe structures and galaxies that were out of sight before. This new information is assisting researchers to investigate how galaxies evolve, develop, and engage across the long expanse of cosmic history. James Webb Telescope's image snaps far-away galaxies, stars at different distances The image showcases a massive field of galaxies located at varying distances, offering astronomers a chance to peer into the past. Since light from distant objects takes billions of years to reach us, looking at far-off galaxies is like looking back in time. Some of the galaxies in this frame existed not long after the Big Bang, providing rare insight into how the universe looked during its earliest stages. What is COSMOS-Web mission by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Need To Kill Time On Your Computer, This Popular Strategy Game Is A Must Forge Of Empires Undo This is an image from the COSMOS-Web project, the Webb mission's largest near-infrared survey. It is led by Dr. Ghassem Gozaliasl of the University of Helsinki and maps 0.54 square degrees of the sky—over twice the size of three full moons. It is designed to investigate galaxy formation , star formation, and dark matter structures over billions of light-years. It occupies more than 250 hours of telescope time and returns data that will be kindling for scientific investigation for years to come. James Webb Space Telescope unveils hidden universe Unlike earlier observatories, JWST employs infrared detectors to see through cosmic dust and capture the faint light of distant galaxies. While Hubble and Chandra have offered visible and X-ray information, Webb sees further—uncovering faint, red-shifted galaxies too far away to be seen previously. These galaxies, many of which are little more than spots in the picture, are some of the universe's earliest to have formed. Galaxy clusters: Cosmic cities in motion One of the more striking aspects of the image is a glittering gold-hued cluster at the center, symbolising a tight packing of galaxies. The clusters play a key role in understanding galaxy evolution. More than half of all galaxies live in groups or clusters, where gravity interacts in a dramatic way—initiating mergers, gas stripping, and occasionally creating new stars. What happens when galaxies collide Within galaxy clusters, the interactions are fierce. Gravity can distort galactic forms, trigger collisions, or even suppress star formation. Ram pressure stripping is a process that strips galaxies traveling through a thick cluster of gas, typically resulting in their aging and evolution. Such dynamic conditions define the destiny of every galaxy and make the cosmic web the elaborate structure it is. Image colour can tell the age of galaxies By viewing colors in Webb's image, researchers can make guesses about galaxy age and rates of activity. Younger stars shine with blue light, whereas older stars glow red. Faraway galaxies appear red due to redshift—the cosmic expansion, which stretches light waves. This color coding assists researchers in charting star formation rates and gaining insight into galaxy life cycles. Pushing the frontiers of discovery The Webb Telescope's sensitivity to faint infrared light is already sparking new theories of galaxy evolution. Scientists are particularly interested in galaxies from the reionisation epoch, when the first stars reionised hydrogen gas in the universe. Mapping how star mass is tied to halo mass, scientists hope to reveal secrets about stability, structure, and future star formation. This one picture is more than just a snapshot—it's a rich data set full of history and discovery. The combination of data from Webb, Hubble, Chandra, and more enables astronomers to build detailed timelines of the evolution of the universe. With further analysis, this deep-space image will aid in solving some of astronomy's greatest questions regarding matter, energy, and the destiny of galaxies.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
1.5TB of Webb Telescope Data Made Available for Public Use
Open science just got a stellar upgrade. On Thursday, NASA-backed COSMOS-Web made 1.5 terabytes of the James Webb Space Telescope's observational data available online, free of charge. It's the biggest trove of raw deep-space data ever opened to the public at a given time. COSMOS-Web, the Webb telescope's continuation of Hubble's 590-orbit Cosmic Evolution Survey, involves more than 200 researchers from a dozen countries. The project aims to expand astronomers' understanding of the Reionization Era (the billion years immediately following the Big Bang), track the evolution of massive galaxies in the universe's first two billion years, and unravel dark matter's entanglement with visible matter within galaxies. Between Webb's 2021 launch and June 2025, COSMOS-Web has conducted over 250 hours of observations across 150 visits. The result is a vast raw data catalog containing "photometry, structural measurements, redshifts, and physical parameters for nearly 800,000 galaxies," per the COSMOS-Web team. Accompanying the catalog are mosaics from Webb's NIRCam (Near Infrared Camera) and MIRI (Mid Infrared Instrument), which together mapped a total of 0.74 square degrees of sky—roughly the area of four full moons. COSMOS-Web NIRCam mosaic (upper left) with zoom-ins to the region surrounding the COSMOS-Web Ring (upper right). Credit: COSMOS-Web Though the data in COSMOS2025 was made available as soon as it was obtained, "only those with specialized technical knowledge and supercomputer access are able to process them into a form useful for scientific analyses," the team said. In contrast, the catalog consists of what was left after COSMOS-Web sifted out artifacts, subtracted background noise, reduced duplicate data, and improved the astrometry. This doesn't just make the data more accessible to research institutions and citizen scientists; it also sets a foundation for calibrating future surveys and observatories. "In today's climate, open, accessible science is more important than ever," COSMOS-Web's statement reads. "Anyone in the world can now access the same catalogs and images used by the COSMOS collaboration…This collective spirit has been remarkably successful in continuously reinvigorating the team over the past twenty years."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Webb Telescope Drops Detailed, Interactive Map of Its Cosmic Corner
To the humble humans on the ground, the duties of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope can sometimes feel a little…otherworldly. Sure, the observatory drops some life-altering images of the cosmos now and then, but otherwise, the raw data it gathers isn't exactly accessible to the average person—even once it's literally made available to everyone via the internet. But Webb's latest gift helps put some of its work into perspective. Accompanying last week's 1.5TB trove of public Webb data is a new, interactive map of the telescope's slice of the universe, which it's spent hundreds of hours examining with its state-of-the-art scientific instruments. Published by COSMOS-Web, an international, NASA-backed astronomical survey, the map contains almost 800,000 galaxies and an untold number of stars. When you first open the map in your web browser, it doesn't look like much: The product of Webb's painstaking observations is squeezed into a small, tilted square of space. But zoom in, and the universe begins to unfold. It's nearly impossible to choose which shimmering galaxy to home in on first. What the COSMOS-Web interactive map looks like before you start to zoom in. Credit: COSMOS-Web/Adrianna Nine The map extends through roughly 98% of all cosmic time, or 13.5 billion of the universe's 13.8 billion years. That (and its mind-boggling quantity of galaxies) means Webb's map dwarfs Hubble's Ultra Deep Field, which stunned the world with nearly 10,000 imaged galaxies back in 2006. "Our goal was to construct this deep field of space on a physical scale that far exceeded anything that had been done before," said physicist and COSMOS co-lead Caitlin Casey. "If you had a printout of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field on a standard piece of paper, our image would be slightly larger than a 13-foot by 13-foot-wide mural, at the same depth. So it's really strikingly large." Hubble Ultra Deep Field. Credit: NASA, ESA, and S. Beckwith (STScI) and the HUDF Team Though Webb's map offers astronomers a wealth of information with which to answer age-old questions about the universe, it also poses its own questions. The current cosmological model doesn't accommodate Webb's proof that the universe produced "a billion solar masses of stars" in "only about 400 million years," Casey explained in a statement for the University of California, Santa Barbara. Now it's up to researchers to figure out how so much light spread throughout the cosmos so early—and potentially tweak their understanding of the universe along the way. That's one reason why COSMOS-Web made both the map and Webb's observational data available to the public. "A big part of this project is the democratization of science and making tools and data from the best telescopes accessible to the broader community," Casey said. "Because the best science is really done when everyone thinks about the same data set differently. It's not just for one group of people to figure out the mysteries."
