Direct neutral gas found in galaxies 700M yrs post-Big Bang

An international team of scientists discovered neutral gas in four star-forming galaxies that existed approximately 700 to 800 million years after the Big Bang. The gas, composed of neutral oxygen atoms, was detected using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The findings were published in The Astronomical Journal and could provide new insights into the formation of the first stars in the universe. The researchers measured the emission lines from the gas, which allowed them to determine its composition and location. The galaxies exhibit high densities of stars, suggesting that they formed in compact, dense clusters, unlike present-day galaxies with dispersed stars. This research could help scientists understand how galaxies evolved from the cosmic dawn to the present day. Dr. Yoshinobu Fudamoto, the lead author, emphasized that extending these observations to a larger sample of galaxies will help build a comprehensive picture of galaxy formation and evolution. The study used redshift measurements to determine the distances of the galaxies, which indicate that the universe was only about 5 to 6 percent of its current age. The research highlights the importance of studying the early universe and the role of neutral gas in the formation of the first stars.

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