These three objects (JADES-GS-z13-0, JADES-GS-z12-0, and JADES-GS-z11-0) were originally identified as galaxies in December 2022 by the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES). A paper published by the team including professor Cosmin Ilie and student Jillian Paulin '23, with Katherine Freese at The University of Texas at Austin, suggesting that they might be “dark stars” has been awarded the Cozzarelli Prize by NAS. (Image credit: NASA/ESA)
Assistant Professor Cosmin Ilie, Jillian Paulin ’23, and Katherine Freese at the University of Texas at Austin have been awarded the 2023 Cozzarelli Prize in Physics and Mathematical Sciences category for their analyzing images from the James Webb Space Telescope that found three objects that might be “dark stars.” Dark stars are objects much bigger and brighter than our sun but powered by annihilation of dark matter particles.
The Cozzarelli Prize is awarded by the National Academy of Sciences, which acknowledges papers that reflect scientific excellence and originality.