Astronomy Picture of the Day · December 24, 2025

Mystery: Little Red Dots in the Early Universe

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 24, 2025 is “Mystery: Little Red Dots in the Early Universe,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: NASA , ESA , CSA , STScI , JWST ; Dale Kocevski ( Colby College ). The original explanation runs about 137 words.

A panel of six images shows a red dot in the center of each image. The instrument that took the image is listed on each image, along with a z number that is the cosmological redshift. Please see the explanation for more detailed information — Credit: Image Credit: NASA , ESA , CSA , STScI , JWST ; Dale Kocevski ( Colby College ) Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“What are these little red dots (LRDs)? Nobody knows.”

— APOD editors, December 24, 2025

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: December 24, 2025
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: Image Credit: NASA , ESA , CSA , STScI , JWST ; Dale Kocevski ( Colby College )
Copyright: No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 137 words