Credit: Science: NASA, ESA, Casey Papovich (TAMU). Image processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
This Hubble image features four of the thousands of galaxies found within the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. All of the highlighted galaxies show evidence of vigorous star formation (blue regions filled with hot, young stars). In the insets at right, the near-infrared spectrum of each galaxy is displayed. By examining a galaxy’s spectrum, you can learn about the ages of its stars, its star-formation history, how many heavy chemical elements it contains, and more.
Upon entering operations in 2027, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will be able to collect spectra for every object in its field of view, which is 200 times larger than Hubble’s in infrared light. As a result, it will enable studies of rare galaxies from a period known as “cosmic noon,” when many galaxies went through growth spurts.