little red dot

The term little red dot (LRD) is used for numerous red objects found in a number of JWST images taken in its first years of operation. The object type was not immediately recognized, so the question of nature immediately led to speculation and research. Efforts have been made to model them as extremely small and dense active galaxies, i.e., with many stars very close to an active galactic nucleus. As of 2026, additional theories continue to be proposed, generally trying to match their spectral energy distribution with some type of object or a model of some theoretical object. Theories include that they could be Population III stars, or that they could be direct collapse black holes (DCBHs) in formation.