The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has enabled astronomers to identify the largest sample of galaxy groups ever observed in the early universe. This extensive data comes from the COSMOS-Web field, a region of the sky meticulously studied to understand cosmic evolution.
An international team, led by Ghassem Gozaliasl from Aalto University, has cataloged nearly 1,700 galaxy groups and proto-clusters, spanning a period from approximately twelve billion years ago to one billion years ago. This detailed catalog provides unprecedented insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies and the large-scale structure of the universe.
Galaxy groups and clusters are dense environments rich in dark matter, hot gas, and massive central galaxies. Interactions within these structures significantly influence the life cycles of galaxies. By studying these galaxy groups, scientists can compare early cosmic structures with more modern ones, enhancing our understanding of how galaxies evolve over billions of years.