What observation regarding very distant galaxies repeatedly challenges existing paradigms of galaxy evolution?
Answer
Finding massive, mature galaxies very early in cosmic history.
The finding that some galaxies observed at very early stages of cosmic history already appear massive and structurally mature contradicts established theoretical models that predicted a slower, more gradual build-up of stellar mass and structure over time. When observational data, despite potential errors from faintness or resolution, robustly confirms such a finding, it forces theoretical astronomers to revise their underlying assumptions about how rapidly and efficiently star formation and galaxy assembly must have proceeded in the primordial universe.
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