The white diamonds indicate 20 of the 83 small galaxies showing active star formation identified by JWST. The researchers say these galaxies may have emitted enough ultraviolet light to trigger the Era of Reionization. (Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/Bezanson et al. 2024 and Wold et al. 2025)
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have identified miniature galaxies that may have driven significant changes in the early universe.
Ultraviolet (UV) light from these small galaxies may have powered a period known as the Era of Reionization, clearing out clouds of hydrogen gas that existed in the early universe. The researchers presented their findings June 11 at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Anchorage, Alaska.
“When it comes to producing ultraviolet light, these small galaxies are outperforming everyone,” said Isaac Wald, an associate research scientist at the Catholic University of America and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
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