galaxy

Scientists have not previously been able to model a galaxy as large as the Milky Way while maintaining fine detail at the level of single stars.

Ordinary matter -- planets, stars and galaxies -- falls into them according to established physical principles that include Einstein's general relativity and Euler's equations.

Since its launch in 1999, it has explored galactic cores, studied stellar evolution, investigated regions around black holes, and observed bursts of intense radiation from distant stars and galaxies.

Before the Webb telescope, methanol was the only complex organic molecule ever confirmed in ice around protostars -- even within our own galaxy.

"It allows us to test the limits of planet formation models in complex environments and to better understand the diversity of possible planetary architectures in our galaxy."