The James Webb Space Telescope has done it again. In the depths of our early Universe, it has uncovered something unexpected—300 mysterious objects that astronomers can’t yet fully explain.
This discovery adds to a growing list of surprises from JWST, which was launched to explore the cosmic dawn. From galaxies that shine too brightly to those that don’t match any known model, the early Universe appears far more crowded and complex than anyone imagined.
These images show the mysterious objects in the universe identified by researchers at the University of Missouri (USA). © Bangzheng “Tom” Sun, University of Missouri
Brighter than they should be
Using infrared instruments aboard JWST, a team from the University of Missouri examined some of the farthest corners of the cosmos. Because light from ancient objects stretches and redshifts as it travels through space, it appears in infrared wavelengths by the time it reaches us.
The astronomers used a technique to find objects that show up only at the reddest wavelengths—indicating extreme distance and age. The result? Around 300 objects that are far too bright to be easily explained.
“Even if just a few of these turn out to be what we think they are, it could force us to rethink how the first galaxies formed,” said Haojing Yan, an astronomy professor and co-author of the study.
Are they ancient galaxies?
Before jumping to conclusions, the team ran a detailed analysis to estimate the redshift of each object. Since full spectroscopic data isn’t yet available, they relied on a method called spectral energy distribution fitting. It’s a way to estimate properties like redshift, mass, and age based on how an object’s light behaves across multiple wavelengths.
The results? Strong hints that these could indeed be early galaxies.
But to be certain, the team is turning to spectroscopy—considered the most reliable way to decode a galaxy’s true identity. It allows scientists to read the “signature” of light, revealing what the object is made of and how long it’s been around.
“One of the 300 has already been confirmed as a primitive galaxy using spectroscopy,” said lead author Bangzheng “Tom” Sun. “But one example isn’t enough—we’ll need several more before we can confidently challenge current theories.”
Cosmic Curveball: Mizzou Scientists Spot 300 Ultra-Bright Objects That Could Rewrite Galaxy Formation. Scientists at the University of Missouri, using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), discovered 300 unusually bright astronomical objects that could be early galaxies,… pic.twitter.com/AxH5EwBq6E
— Nirmata (@En_formare) August 12, 2025
What this means for the future of astronomy
If further confirmed, this finding could be a major turning point. It might suggest that galaxies began forming far earlier and in much greater numbers than previously thought—a possibility that would reshape our understanding of cosmic evolution.
As JWST continues its mission, more surprises are likely. And with every new image, it’s not just stars and galaxies we’re seeing—it’s a glimpse into the unknown chapters of the Universe itself.
Nathalie Mayer
Journalist
Born in Lorraine on a freezing winter night, storytelling has always inspired me, first through my grandmother’s tales and later Stephen King’s imagination. A physicist turned science communicator, I’ve collaborated with institutions like CEA, Total, Engie, and Futura. Today, I focus on unraveling Earth’s complex environmental and energy challenges, blending science with storytelling to illuminate solutions.
