Lyman-alpha Emitters

Lyman-alpha Emitters are a type of distant galaxy that prominently emit a specific kind of ultraviolet light called Lyman-alpha radiation. This light results from hydrogen atoms—the most common element in the universe—being excited by energetic processes within the galaxy. Because this radiation is so distinctive, astronomers can identify these galaxies across vast distances, helping us study the universe’s early history. These galaxies are important for understanding how galaxies formed and evolved in the first few billion years after the Big Bang.