Download Image
About the Image
About the Object
Color Mapping
Astrometrics
Galaxy Cluster and Gravitational Lens MACS J1149+2223
With the combined power of NASA's Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes, as well as a cosmic magnification effect, astronomers have spotted what could be the most distant galaxy ever seen. Light from the primordial galaxy traveled approximately 13.2 billion light-years before reaching NASA's telescopes, shining forth from the so-called cosmic dark ages when the universe was just 3.6 percent of its present age.
Astronomers relied on gravitational lensing to catch sight of the early, distant galaxy. In this phenomenon, predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago, the gravity of foreground objects warps and magnifies the light from background objects.
In this image, the many galaxies of a massive cluster called MACS J1149+2223 dominate the scene. Gravitational lensing by the giant cluster brightened the light from the newfound galaxy, known as MACS 1149-JD, some 15 times (though it is not readily apparent in this view).
Related Media
 |
News Release NASA Telescopes Spy Ultra-Distant Galaxy ssc2012-12 |
 |
Image A Glimmer from a Dark Cosmic Era ssc2012-12a |
Image Components
 |
Image Galaxy Cluster and Gravitational Lens MACS J1149+2223 ssc2012-12a1 |
|
Image Through a Lens, Distantly ssc2012-12a2 |
|
Image The Distant Galaxy MACS 1149-JD ssc2012-12a3 |
 |
June 5 Galaxies in Hiding |
 |
June 5 Life and Death Intermingled |
 |
June 5 Stars Shoot Jets in Cosmic Playground |
 |
June 5 Galaxies in Hiding |
 |
June 5 Bubbles Within Bubbles (annotated) |
