Massive Galaxy J0107a Challenges Galactic Formation Theories

In May 2025, Astronomers discovered a surprisingly massive barred spiral galaxy, J0107a, dating back 11.1 billion years—when the universe was only about one-fifth its current age—that resembles the Milky Way in shape but is far larger and more active.

Key Points

Massive and Compact: J0107a’s combined mass of stars and gas is over 10 times that of the Milky Way, yet the galaxy is more compact.
Star Formation: It forms stars at a staggering rate 300 times greater than the Milky Way.
Bar Structure: Like the Milky Way, J0107a has a straight central bar of stars and gas about 50,000 light-years long, which acts as a stellar nursery by channeling gas inward to fuel star birth.
Calm despite Size: Unlike other massive early galaxies that often show disturbed or irregular shapes due to collisions or mergers, J0107a shows no evidence of such interactions.
Early Spiral Appearance: This galaxy is among the earliest-known barred spiral galaxies, pushing back the timeline for the formation of organized galactic structures.