The distant galaxy JD1 was formed from hydrogen left over from the Big Bang and has been confirmed as one of the most distant galaxies identified to date.
Astrophysicists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have been able to confirm the existence of this galaxy using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the largest and most powerful space science telescope ever launched.
JD1 is approximately 13.3 billion years old, and it shows a picture of when the universe was only about 4 per cent of its present age.
The faraway galaxy is located behind a large cluster of nearby galaxies, called Abell 2744. This cluster was key to the identification of JD1, as the combined gravitational strength of Abell 2744's galaxies amplifies the light from JD1, making it appear larger and 13 times brighter than it otherwise would.
The effect, known as gravitational lensing, is similar to how a magnifying glass distorts and amplifies light within its...