James Webb Telescope produces the largest map of the cosmic web of the Universe

The COSMOS-Web survey accumulated approximately 255 hours of uninterrupted observation, covering a portion of the sky equivalent to the size of three full moons. The generated database contains about 164 thousand galaxies, constituting the most detailed map ever produced at this level.

Galactic Evolution and Influencing Factors

According to the scientists involved, this new cartography allows monitoring transformations over more than 13 billion years of the Universe's development. In early stages, the densest regions drove accelerated galaxy growth, while in later epochs, these same areas began to be linked to a decrease in star formation.

The study also points out that galaxy evolution is not determined solely by the density of its surroundings, but also by internal and external processes. In extremely massive regions, dark matter-related structures can reach extreme proportions, affecting gas heating and hindering the emergence of new stars.

Additionally, the activity of supermassive black holes emerges as a crucial factor. By releasing energy and high-velocity jets, these objects can prevent the cooling of gas essential for star formation, contributing to the phenomenon known as galactic 'quenching.'

Correction of Observational Distortions

With the advancement of cosmic time, environmental mechanisms around galaxies gain greater relevance. External processes can remove material or prevent the accumulation of cold gas, thus modifying the rate of stellar creation.

Researchers emphasize that previous studies tended to underestimate structures in low-density locations and exaggerate the depth in more congested areas of space. The new mapping corrects some of these inaccuracies, offering greater accuracy in measuring distances and galactic distribution.