# Discovery of the Distant Morning Star: A Cosmic Marvel
Written on
Chapter 1: The Hubble Telescope's Remarkable Find
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying the most distant object ever detected in the universe.
This remarkable achievement involves light from a star that has traveled approximately 28 billion light-years to reach us. Named after the half-elf Earendel from Tolkien's Silmarillion, the term "Morning Star" in Old English reflects its significance.
Estimated to be between 50 and 100 times larger than our Sun, the light we see today has journeyed for over 12 billion years, indicating that this star likely no longer exists. Much can change over such an immense span of time.
The light we observe comes from a much younger universe, providing a glimpse into a cosmic era long gone. The Hubble telescope often acts as a time machine, capturing images from a youthful universe that existed merely 900 million years after the Big Bang—just 7% of its current age.
In the time it took for this light to traverse space, the universe has expanded, stretching the distance of the now-lost star from 4 billion to 24 billion light-years away.
I found myself pondering this for quite a while, fueled by several cups of coffee to grasp the enormity of it all.
Earendel shone in a universe that lacked many of the elements we find on Earth today. We are witnessing a moment in time when the first stars and galaxies were forming—a period known as the cosmic dawn, where the primordial reactions birthed the very compounds that constitute our bodies and everything around us.
Is there anything else that captivates and mystifies us as much as this?
This revelation leaves me both bewildered and awestruck. I think I’ll take a nap, but I’m sure my dreams will be filled with visions of ancient stars and the wonders of the vast cosmos.
Section 1.1: Exploring the Cosmic Dawn
The early universe, a time when the first stars emerged, offers incredible insights into the formation of cosmic structures.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Significance of Earendel
Section 1.2: The Journey of Light
The light from Earendel illustrates the vast distances in the universe and the passage of time, allowing us to observe the past.
Chapter 2: Musical Inspiration from the Stars
The discovery of Earendel has inspired various artistic expressions, including music that captures the essence of the cosmos.
The first video, Morning Star - Taylor Davis (Original Song), beautifully encapsulates the themes of wonder and exploration associated with this cosmic discovery.
The second video, The Morning Star Rises, further explores the significance and beauty of celestial phenomena.