The most distant single star known to astronomers is Earendel, located over 28 billion light-years away from Earth.
Unveiling Earendel: The Cosmic Record-Breaker
Earendel holds the extraordinary distinction of being the farthest individual star ever observed. Its light, captured by advanced telescopes, provides a unique window into the universe's very early stages, having traveled across vast cosmic distances for billions of years.
How Was Earendel Detected?
Detecting a star so incredibly distant is a monumental challenge. Earendel's discovery was made possible by a remarkable cosmic phenomenon known as gravitational lensing.
The Power of Gravitational Lensing
- Cosmic Magnifying Glass: Gravitational lensing occurs when a massive object, such as a large galaxy cluster, positioned between us and a more distant light source, acts like a natural magnifying glass.
- Light Bending: The immense gravity of the foreground cluster bends and magnifies the light from the background object (in this case, Earendel), making it appear brighter and more visible than it would normally be. This "trick" of nature allowed astronomers to detect a single star that would otherwise be far too faint and distant to observe.
Earendel's Astounding Distance and Significance
Earendel currently sits more than 28 billion light-years away. This incredible distance means that the light we observe from Earendel originated when the universe was less than a billion years old, offering scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study conditions and star formation in the very early cosmos.
The Origin of the Name Earendel
The name Earendel itself is steeped in myth and literature. It's a direct reference to the Anglo-Saxon myth of the Morning Star. Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien will also recognize the name from his "Lord of the Rings" mythology, where Eärendil is a mariner who carries a Silmaril across the sky as a star, connecting this modern astronomical discovery to ancient lore.
Key Facts About Earendel
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Earendel |
| Record Status | Most distant known single star |
| Approximate Distance | Over 28 billion light-years |
| Discovery Method | Gravitational Lensing |
| Name Origin | Anglo-Saxon myth; "Lord of the Rings" reference |
