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Galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0 Spectrum (NIRSpec)

A graph labeled “Galaxy JADES GS z 14 0, Galaxy existed 300 million years after big bang, NIRSpec microshutter array spectroscopy.” The x-axis is labeled “Wavelength of Light, microns” and extends from about 0.5 microns to 5.5 microns, with tick marks every 0.5 microns from 1.0 to 5.0. The y-axis is labeled “Brightness” and has a zero mark with a horizontal, dashed line about a third of the way up from the bottom. An up arrow is labeled “brighter.” A jagged orange line runs horizontally across the graph. It fluctuates above and below the zero line until reaching a wavelength of about 1.9 microns, at which point it peaks before gradually decreasing again, but remaining above the zero line. The wavelength where the emission peaks has a vertical red line labeled “Lyman-alpha break, z = 14.32."

Scientists used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) to obtain a spectrum of the distant galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0 in order to accurately measure its redshift and therefore determine its age. The redshift can be determined from the location of a critical wavelength known as the Lyman-alpha break. This galaxy dates back to less than 300 million years after the big bang.

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About the Object

  • R.A. Position
    R.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.
    03:32:36.89
  • Dec. Position
    Dec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.
    -27:46:49.33
  • Constellation
    ConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.
    Fornax

About the Data

  • Data Description
    Data DescriptionProposal: A description of the observations, their scientific justification, and the links to the data available in the science archive.
    Science Team: The astronomers who planned the observations and analyzed the data. "PI" refers to the Principal Investigator.

    These spectroscopic observations were taken as part of Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO) program 1287 (K. Isaak, PI).

  • Object Name
    Object NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.
    JADES-GS-z14-0
  • Object Description
    Object DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.
    High-redshift galaxy
  • Release Date
    May 30, 2024
  • Credit
    Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI); Science: JADES Collaboration, Stefano Carniani (Scuola Normale Superiore)

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Details

Last Updated
Aug 28, 2025
Contact
Media

Laura Betz
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
laura.e.betz@nasa.gov

Image Credit

NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

Science Credit

JADES Collaboration, Stefano Carniani (Scuola Normale Superiore)

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