James Webb Unveils 'Firefly Sparkle': A Dazzling Early Galaxy

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has discovered Firefly Sparkle, a galaxy blazing with star formation just 600 million years post-Big Bang. Thanks to gravitational lensing by galaxy cluster MACS J1423.8+2404, JWST captured this 10-million-solar-mass Milky Way progenitor with 10 vibrant star clusters—reminiscent of Christmas lights. Observed in stunning detail, Firefly Sparkle illuminates early galaxy growth through mergers. As researchers celebrate this cosmic sparkle on Dec 12, 2024, the universe continues to ignite our curiosity.