This article lists the most distant astronomical objects discovered and verified so far, and the time periods in which they were so classified.

An alternative to the most commonly used distance measurements for high redshift objects is to calculate their ages in relation to the Big Bang. For comparisons with the years after the Big Bang of the astronomical objects listed below, the age of the universe is currently estimated as 13.787 ± 0.020 billion years. However, the estimated age of the universe has increased over the years as the observational techniques have been refined. At the time of the discovery of IOK-1 in 2006, the estimated age was just 13.66 billion years.

Distances to remote objects, other than those in nearby galaxies, are nearly always inferred by measuring the cosmological redshift of their light. By their nature, very distant objects tend to be very faint, so these distance determinations are difficult and subject to errors. An important distinction is whether the distance is determined via spectroscopic or photometric redshift techniques. The former is generally both more precise and also more reliable, as photometric redshifts can be more prone to confusion with lower redshift sources that may have unusual spectra. For that reason, a spectroscopic redshift is conventionally regarded as being necessary for an object's distance to be considered definitely known, whereas photometrically determined redshifts identify "candidate" very distant sources. Here, this distinction is indicated by a "p" subscript for photometric redshifts.

Most distant spectroscopically-confirmed objects

+ Most distant astronomical objects with spectroscopic redshift determinations Image Name Redshift (z) Years after the Big Bang (millions) Type Notes MoM-z14 z = Galaxy Luminous Lyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec. JADES-GS-z14-0 z = Galaxy The detection of [OIII]88μm line emission with a significance of 6.67σ and at a frequency of 223.524 GHz, corresponding to a redshift of 14.1796 ± 0.0007, using ALMA. JADES-GS-z14-1 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec. PAN-z14-1 z = 310GalaxyLyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec. JADES-GS-z13-0 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec.UNCOVER-z13 z = GalaxyLyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec.JADES-GS-z13-1z = 13.0GalaxyLyman-alpha emitter, discovered by JWST in 2025. JADES-GS-z12-0 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRCam and JWST/NIRSpec, and CIII] line emission with JWST/NIRSpec. UNCOVER-z12 z = GalaxyLyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec. GLASS-z12 (GHZ2)z = Galaxy Detection of the rest-frame 88 μm atomic transition from doubly ionized oxygen using ALMA. UDFj-39546284 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec.EGS-z11-R0z = 11.452 ± 0.021386GalaxyHot, dust-obscured galaxy, detected with JWST/NIRSpec. CEERS J141946.36+525632.8(Maisie's Galaxy) z Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST. CEERS2-588 z Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST. GN-z11 z = 10.6034 ± 0.0013 Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy; detection of the Lyman break with HST at 5.5σ and carbon emission lines with Keck/MOSFIRE at 5.3σ. Conclusive redshift by JWST in February 2023 JADES-GS-z10-0 (UDFj-38116243) z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec JD1 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy, detection of the Lyman break with JWST/NIRSpec Gz9p3z = 9.3127 ± 0.0002 GalaxyA galaxy merger with a redshift estimated from [OII], Ne and H emission lines detected with JWST.CAPERS-LRD-z9z = 9.288 ± 0.003500GalaxyGalaxy / little red dot discovered by JWST. MACS1149-JD1 z = Galaxy Detection of hydrogen emission line with the VLT, and oxygen line with ALMA EGSY8p7 (CEERS_1019) z = Galaxy Lyman-alpha emitter; detection of Lyman-alpha with Keck/MOSFIRE at 7.5σ confidence SMACS-4590 z = 8.496 Galaxy Detection of hydrogen, oxygen, and neon emission lines with JWST/NIRSpec A2744 YD4 z = 8.38 Galaxy Lyman-alpha and [O III] emission detected with ALMA at 4.0σ confidence MACS0416 Y1 z = Galaxy [O III] emission detected with ALMA at 6.3σ confidence GRB 090423 z = Gamma-ray burst Lyman-alpha break detected RXJ2129-11002 z = Galaxy [O III] doublet, Hβ, and [O II] doublet as well as Lyman-alpha break detected with JWST/NIRSpec prism. RXJ2129-11022 z = Galaxy [O III] doublet and Hβ as well as Lyman-alpha break detected with JWST/NIRSpec prism.MoM-BH*-1z = 660Little red dotCandidate to black hole star, detected by JWST. EGS-zs8-1 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy SMACS-0723-6355 z = 7.665 Galaxy Detection of hydrogen, oxygen, and neon emission lines with JWST/NIRSpec z7 GSD 3811 z = Galaxy Lyman-alpha emitter SMACS-0723-10612 z = 7.658 Galaxy Detection of hydrogen, oxygen, and neon emission lines with JWST/NIRSpec QSO J0313–1806 z = Quasar Lyman-alpha break detected ULAS J1342+0928 z = Quasar Redshift estimated from [C II] emission z8 GND 5296 z = 7.51 Galaxy Lyman-alpha emitter A1689-zD1 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy GS2_1406 z = Galaxy Lyman-alpha emitter GN-108036 z = 7.213 Galaxy Lyman alpha emitter SXDF-NB1006-2 Galaxy [O III] emission detected BDF-3299 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy ULAS J1120+0641 z = Quasar Redshift estimated from Si III]+C III] and Mg II emission lines A1703 zD6 z = Galaxy Gravitationally-lensed Lyman-alpha emitter BDF-521 z = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy IOK-1 z = 6.965 Galaxy Lyman-alpha emitter GDS 1408(G2 1408) z = Galaxy Lyman-alpha emitter and VLT spectroscopy.

Candidate most distant objects

Since the beginning of the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) science operations in June 2022, numerous distant galaxies far beyond what could be seen by the Hubble Space Telescope (z = 11) have been discovered thanks to the JWST's capability of seeing far into the infrared.

Previously in 2012, there were about 50 possible objects z = 8 or farther, and another 100 candidates at z = 7, based on photometric redshift estimates released by the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field (XDF) project from observations made between mid-2002 and December 2012.

Some objects included here have been observed spectroscopically, but had only one emission line tentatively detected, and are therefore still considered candidates by researchers.

+ Notable candidates for most distant astronomical objects Name Redshift (z) Type NotesMIDIS-z25-3(midisred0049147)zp = GalaxyA selection based on photometry, photometric redshift probability distributions and visual inspection, based on the JWST/NIRCam data provided by the MIRI Deep Imaging Survey (MIDIS). F200DB-045 zp = or or Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST.Note: The redshift value of the galaxy presented by the procedure in one study may differ from the values presented in other studies using different procedures.Lizzan(CEERS U-75985)zp = GalaxyTwo photometric catalogs were optimized for detecting faint, red objects. Primarily relying on NIRCam photometry from the latest CEERS data release, mid-infrared/(sub)millimeter data was used when available.Budiara(CEERS U-31863)zp = GalaxyTwo photometric catalogs were optimized for detecting faint, red objects. Primarily relying on NIRCam photometry from the latest CEERS data release, mid-infrared/(sub)millimeter data was used when available.Viciadgo(CEERS U-34120)zp = GalaxyTwo photometric catalogs were optimized for detecting faint, red objects. Primarily relying on NIRCam photometry from the latest CEERS data release, mid-infrared/(sub)millimeter data was used when available.Naspe(CEERS U-80918)zp = GalaxyTwo photometric catalogs were optimized for detecting faint, red objects. Primarily relying on NIRCam photometry from the latest CEERS data release, mid-infrared/(sub)millimeter data was used when available.Arcerio(CEERS A-22691)zp = GalaxyTwo photometric catalogs were optimized for detecting faint, red objects. Primarily relying on NIRCam photometry from the latest CEERS data release, mid-infrared/(sub)millimeter data was used when available. GLIMPSE 70467zp = GalaxyLyman-break selection and photometry F200DB-175 zp = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST S5-z17-1 or Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST; tentative (5.1σ) ALMA detection of a single emission line possibly attributed to either [C II] (z = ) or [O III] (z = ). F150DB-041 zp = or Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST SMACS-z16a zp = or Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST F200DB-015 zp = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST F200DB-181 zp = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST F200DB-159 zp = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST GLIMPSE 72839 zp = Galaxy Lyman-break selection and photometry F200DB-086 zp = or Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST SMACS-z16b zp = or Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST F150DB-048 zp = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST F150DB-007 zp = Galaxy Lyman-break galaxy discovered by JWST

List of most distant objects by type + Most distant object by type Type Object Redshift(distance) Notes Any astronomical object, no matter what type MoM-z14 This is a galaxy discovered by JWST-based "Mirage or Miracle" (MoM) survey. Galaxy cluster CL J1001+0220 As of 2016 Galaxy supercluster Hyperion proto-supercluster This supercluster at the time of its discovery in 2018 was the earliest and largest proto-supercluster found to date. Galaxy protocluster A2744z7p9OD This protocluster at the time of its discovery in 2023 was the most distant protocluster found and spectroscopically confirmed to date. Galaxy or protogalaxy MoM-z14 Quasar UHZ1 Black hole GN-z11 Star or protostar or post-stellar corpse (detected by an event) Progenitor of GRB 090423 NASA, "New Gamma-Ray Burst Smashes Cosmic Distance Record" , 28 April 2009 Note, GRB 090429B has a photometric redshift zp≅9.4,Science Codex, "GRB 090429B – most distant gamma-ray burst yet" , NASA/Goddard, 27 May 2011 and so is most likely more distant than GRB 090423, but is lacking spectroscopic confirmation. Estimated an approximate distance of 13 billion lightyears from Earth. Star or protostar or post-stellar corpse (detected as a star) WHL0137-LS (Earendel) (12.9 Gly) Most distant individual star detected when discovered March 2022. Previous records include SDSS J1229+1122 and MACS J1149 Lensed Star 1. Star cluster The Sparkler (13.9 Gly) Galaxy with globular clusters gravitationally lensed in SMACS J0723.3-7327 System of star clusters X-ray jet PJ352–15 quasar jet (12.7 Gly) The previous recordholder was at 12.4 Gly.NASA.govSpaceDaily, "Record-Setting X-ray Jet Discovered", 30 November 2012 (accessed 4 December 2012) Microquasar XMMU J004243.6+412519 (2.5 Mly) First extragalactic microquasar discoveredESA, "Artist's impression of the X-ray binary XMMU J004243.6+412519", 12 December 2012 (accessed 18 December 2012)e! Science News, "XMMU J004243.6+412519: Black-Hole Binary At The Eddington Limit", 12 December 2012 (accessed 18 December 2012)SpaceDaily, "Microquasar found in neighbor galaxy, tantalizing scientists", 17 December 2012 (accessed 18 December 2012) Nebula-like object Himiko Possibly one of the largest objects in the early universe.Magnetic field9io9 (11.1 Gly)Observations from ALMA has shown that the lensed galaxy 9io9 contains a magnetic field. Planet SWEEPS-11 / SWEEPS-04 (27,710 ly) An analysis of the lightcurve of the microlensing event PA-99-N2 suggests the presence of a planet orbiting a star in the much farther Andromeda Galaxy.