At the moment, NASA printed a of the Phantom Galaxy, also referred to as M74 and NGC 628. The James Webb Area Telescope (JWST) captured it. This isn’t the primary time we’ve seen the Webb telescope ship an image of the Phantom Galaxy again. NASA beforehand in 2022.
Beneath is the 2022 picture for comparability. Regardless of the totally different colours, it’s clear that each pictures are of the identical galaxy.
Webb captured the older picture utilizing solely its Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI). Conversely, the brand new one combines information from MIRI and Webb’s Close to-InfraRed Digicam (NIRCam). This mix allowed scientists from the Suggestions in Rising extrAgalactic Star clusTers (FEAST) group to look at the Phantom Galaxy’s nurseries.
For the uninitiated, stellar nurseries are areas in house filled with gasses and molecular clouds. They’re the place stars and planets are born. For that purpose, some individuals additionally discuss with them as star-forming areas.
The FEAST group’s main mission is to look at stellar suggestions in areas outdoors the Milky Approach galaxy whereas additionally observing the formation of stars. By taking a look at how a lot power from stars pours out into the environment, scientists can higher perceive how stars come into being.
Mixed information from Webb’s MIRI and NIRCam devices allowed scientists to conclude that the spiral arms of the Phantom Galaxy are the place stars are extra actively forming within the celestial physique. Due to NIRCam, the JWST can now additionally see hydrogen emission traces, which aren’t as affected by the mud and present the place huge stars are newly shaped.
The JWST continues to ship pictures again for us to take pleasure in, courtesy of a . For these thinking about viewing extra, the has lots of them.
