Gn Z11
Gn Z11 is a high-redshift galaxy detected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) that provides observational evidence for the existence of primordial Population III stars. Located at a redshift of approximately z ≈ 11, the galaxy formed roughly 400 million years after the Big Bang, placing it among the earliest known structures in the universe. Its spectral characteristics differ from later galaxies, lacking the heavy element signatures typical of subsequent stellar generations.
Population III Stars
Population III stars are the theoretical first generation of stars, hypothesized to have formed from the primordial gas of the early universe. Composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, these stars are distinct from later generations due to their lack of metals. The detection of spectral features in Gn Z11 consistent with this composition supports the existence of these primordial stars, offering a rare glimpse into the cosmic dawn.