Ancient Spiral Galaxy ‘Alaknanda’ Identified by Indian Researchers

Indian astronomers have identified a fully developed ancient galaxy named Alaknanda, a finding that challenges long-held theories about early cosmic evolution. Detected using the James Webb Space Telescope, the galaxy displays a mature spiral structure despite having formed when the universe was only 1.5 billion years old.

Early Formation of a Mature Spiral Galaxy

Alaknanda dates back 12 billion years, placing it in an era when galaxies were generally small, unstable and irregular in form. Contrary to these expectations, the newly identified system shows a grand design spiral pattern similar to the Milky Way. Researchers observed two symmetrical arms emerging from a central disc, wrapping around a bright bulge.

Indian Contribution to High-Redshift Astronomy

The discovery was made by scientists at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Pune. Detailed examination revealed classic spiral features including “beads-on-a-string” star clusters along its arms. The galaxy spans around 30,000 light-years and contains roughly 10 billion stars, with star formation occurring significantly faster than in the Milky Way.

Implications for Galaxy Formation Models

Current models suggest that large spiral galaxies require several billion years to develop stable discs. Alaknanda’s early maturity indicates that galaxy assembly in the young universe proceeded far more rapidly than previously believed. Its mass, estimated at ten billion times that of the Sun, appears to have accumulated within a few hundred million years.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Alaknanda formed when the universe was about 10 per cent of its current age.
• The galaxy lies roughly 12 billion light-years from Earth.
• It exhibits a grand design spiral structure similar to the Milky Way.
• Star formation in Alaknanda occurs 20–30 times faster than in the Milky Way.

Future Research Prospects

Astronomers plan further observations using the James Webb Space Telescope and the ALMA facility in Chile to refine estimates of the galaxy’s composition and evolution. The discovery contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that organised, large-scale galaxies emerged far earlier in cosmic history than standard theories predicted.