On Cloud 9: Have astronomers discovered the first starless galaxy?

A team of international astronomers has announced significant progress in identifying what could be the universe’s very first starless galaxy. The research focuses on a peculiar object dubbed GLASS-z13, detected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This newly identified entity is characterized by an immense concentration of dark matter and gaseous material. Remarkably, it contains almost no visible starlight, representing a previously unseen type of galactic structure. Scientists believe this observation offers a unique opportunity to study the conditions present during the early stages of cosmic evolution, potentially shedding light on how galaxies formed without initial stellar ignition.