Properties of the distant galaxy

* Redshift z=10.0, corresponding to a distance from the earth of approximately 13230 million (in other words ~13 billion) light years [determined from the observations]

* Age of the Universe at the time when the galaxy is seen: approx. 470 million years after the Big Bang, i.e. barely 3 percent of the current age of the Universe! [this can be determined from the distance assuming an age of the Universe of 13.7 billion years supported by other observations]

* The galaxy is undergoing a strong "burst" of star formation. The star formation is not hidden by dust clouds frequently observed in the nearby Universe. [determined from the spectral appearance of the galaxy in comparison with simulations]

* The mass of stars which have (so far) been formed in this galaxy is approximately 10 million times the mass of the sun. This is approximately 10000 times "lighter" than our Galaxy, the Milky Way. This "proto-galaxy" probably most resembles a massive so-called "super star cluster" forming in the center of the future galaxy. [determined from the spectral appearance of the galaxy in comparison with simulations]

* The mass of the dark matter halo in which this proto-galaxy is likely located can be estimated to 500 million times the mass of the sun at least. Such "massive halos" are expected to collapse (i.e. form) during this period (grown from initial quantum fluctuations).rks