Photo: Early Universe's First Stars Spied in Distant Galaxies

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


A technique known as gravitational lensing allows astronomers to peer into the early universe by looking at how light from distant galaxies is bent by the gravitational fields of nearer galaxies.

Now scientists say they have used this method to spot the most distant galaxies yet—including light from what could be the very first stars in the universe.

Image courtesy Kneib & Ellis/Caltech

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Photos and News of the Week

Get the top photos and news of the week from National Geographic News, plus occasional breaking-news alerts.

See Sample >>
Please enter a valid email address
Privacy Policy

MOST VIEWED NEWS

Hurricane Gustav to Become Gulf Coast Monster?

Portal to Maya Underworld Found in Mexico?

PHOTO IN THE NEWS: New Giant Fish Species Announced

NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

Photo and Headline Widget

Put our latest news and photos on your Web page or desktop—automatically updates! See Sample
Download Widget