The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a massive spiral galaxy, dubbed the Big Wheel, dating back two billion years after the Big Bang. This galaxy stretches approximately 98,000 light years across, surprisingly similar in size to the Milky Way today. Such growth in a mere two billion years contradicts current understandings of galaxy development, prompting researchers to question existing models. Co-author Themiya Nanayakkara theorizes that rapid merging of smaller galaxies may explain the Big Wheel's size, hinting at complexities in cosmic evolution that necessitate further investigation.
The Big Wheel galaxy emerged a mere two billion years after the Big Bang, showing an unexpectedly large size compared to current models of galaxy formation.
Study co-author Themiya Nanayakkara emphasized that the Milky Way has had 10 billion years more time to grow compared to the young Big Wheel galaxy.
The discovery of the Big Wheel raises critical questions about our understanding of early galaxy formation and could necessitate refinements in existing cosmological models.
Nanayakkara suggests that the rapid growth of the Big Wheel may be explained by a series of quick galaxy mergers, challenging conventional growth timelines.
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