This is the largest map of the universe ever made: how you can explore it like Google Maps

A groundbreaking new cosmic map is reshaping our understanding of the early universe. Created from over 255 hours of data from the James Webb Space Telescope, the COSMOS-Web project offers a stunning view of nearly 800 000 galaxies, some of which existed just 400 million years after the Big Bang. What was once believed to be a dark, starless era now appears to have been filled with galaxies far earlier than expected.

A universe of galaxies, all in one place

The COSMOS-Web map spans 13.5 billion years of cosmic history, covering a region of sky equivalent to three full moons. Unlike previous efforts like Hubble’s famous deep field, this map is a mosaic composed of over 10 000 individual images stitched together. If Hubble’s image were a sheet of paper, COSMOS-Web would be a 4-by-4-meter mural—same depth, vastly larger scale.

Using infrared light, the Webb telescope captured galaxies invisible to Hubble, revealing that early star formation was far more common than scientists thought. Some galaxies formed stars equivalent to a billion suns in a fraction of the universe’s age.

How you can explore it

Spain’s Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias used neural networks to categorize more than half a million galaxies by shape, helping scientists understand how galaxies evolve. Additionally, the COSMOS-Web team opened the project to volunteers, who helped refine the raw data over two years.

Now, thanks to this collaboration, anyone can explore the COSMOS-Web map online, zooming through the cosmos like using Google Maps but for galaxies. With more data to come, this map will only grow richer—and stranger.