The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered three massive “red monster” galaxies, each 100 billion times the mass of the Sun, that formed just 12.8 billion years ago, challenging current models of galaxy formation.

These galaxies, which are almost as massive as the Milky Way, formed stars at an unexpectedly fast rate, converting up to 80% of their gas into stars, far more efficient than the typical 20%.

This discovery could reshape our understanding of how galaxies and stars formed in the early universe, Live Science has reported.

Researchers are now planning further observations to explore these galaxies and refine models of early galaxy evolution.

Written by B.C. Begley