In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have unveiled the existence of the oldest known "dead" galaxy ever observed. Named JADES-GS-z7-01-QU, this cosmic corpse has left scientists puzzled as it challenges the current knowledge of the early universe.

The galaxy ceased its star formation when the universe was just 700 million years old, a time when numerous stars were being born due to an abundance of pristine gas and dust in other parts of the cosmos. This unexpected phenomenon has provided astronomers with a glimpse into the mysterious intricacies of galaxy evolution in the primordial universe, raising questions about why galaxies halt star formation and whether the forces governing their starbursts change over time.

Lead author of the study, Tobias Looser from the University of Cambridge's Kavli Institute for Cosmology, likened the early universe to an "all-you-can-eat buffet" of gas that galaxies needed to form new stars. Current models fail to explain how the newfound galaxy not only quickly formed in less than a billion years after the Big Bang, but also abruptly shut down its star production at such an early stage.

Traditionally, galaxies stop forming stars later in the universe's timeline. The discovery of JADES-GS-z7-01-QU challenges this notion, as it remained dormant when the universe was considerably younger than other "dead" galaxies found elsewhere, which ceased star formation around 3 billion years after the Big Bang.

The researchers note that events in the early universe seem to unfold more rapidly and dramatically, including the transition of galaxies from a star-forming phase to a state of dormancy or quiescence. To locate JADES-GS-z7-01-QU, Looser and his team employed the JWST's powerful infrared vision, allowing them to peer through the dense shroud of dust obscuring the earliest objects in the universe.

What sets this "dead" galaxy apart from others is not only its age, but also its significantly lighter mass compared to similarly quiescent galaxies detected in the early universe. Analysis of the JWST's data suggests that JADES-GS-z7-01-QU experienced a period of intense star formation lasting between 30 to 90 million years before swiftly shutting off. However, the exact cause for this halt remains unknown.

Astronomers have identified several factors that can impede or halt star formation in a galaxy, such as turbulence caused by a supermassive black hole radiating energy that pushes gas out of the galaxy, thereby starving it of the gas necessary for star formation. Another possible explanation is that the surrounding environment of the galaxy during that time failed to replenish its gas reservoir, resulting in a shortage of star-forming material.

However, study co-author Roberto Maiolino, an astrophysicist at KICC, expressed uncertainty, stating that current models based on the modern universe are unable to explain the unique properties of JADES-GS-z7-01-QU. This suggests that these models may require revision to align with the newfound galaxy's characteristics.

One potential explanation presented by co-author Francesco D'Eugenio is that galaxies in the early universe may "die" and then undergo a revival. However, previous research on "dead" galaxies from a time when the universe underwent its most prolific star formation indicated that such galaxies cannot rejuvenate, even through mergers with nearby galaxies, which only serves to increase their size.

To unravel the mysteries behind this peculiar dormancy, further observations will be necessary, noted D'Eugenio. The discovery of JADES-GS-z7-01-QU presents an exciting opportunity for astronomers to deepen their understanding of the early universe and revise existing models in light of this extraordinary find.