Light leaking from a distant galaxy hints at a cosmic makeover’s origins

Harsh ultraviolet radiation suggests how hydrogen got ionized in the universe long ago

Sunburst Arc galaxy

Visible and infrared light shine from a single star-forming region in the Sunburst Arc galaxy (center). The spot of light is duplicated six times in the arc in this Hubble Space Telescope image, thanks to the gravity of a separate galaxy cluster (not shown).

T.E. Rivera-Thorsen, Hubble Space Telescope

A leaky galaxy might be offering up clues about a vast cosmic makeover foisted on the universe during its youth.