16 February 2025 The James Webb Space Telescope has zoomed in on Leo P, a tiny galaxy with some big things to say about star formation. Comments Related: 25 gorgeous nebula photos that capture the beauty of the universe Leo P is similar to the primordial galaxies of the early universe, so astronomers can learn a lot about early cosmic history by studying it. Although first discovered in 2013, new data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revealed that Leo P is unexpectedly forming new stars. Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. An uncropped version of the Leo P image. (Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Kristen McQuinn (STScI)) That's a big surprise to astronomers because small, isolated galaxies like Leo P were thought to have switched off their star-forming factories when the universe was about a billion years old, during a cosmic era known as "the Epoch of Reionization." It followed the cosmic dark ages, which refers to a period during the early universe when the dense fog of neutral hydrogen gas blocked light. When the first stars formed then exploded as supernovas, they spread energetic ultraviolet light capable of ionizing hydrogen atoms, or splitting them back into electrons and protons, according to NASA. See for yourself