Two for two! A duo of interacting galaxies commemorates the second science anniversary of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which takes constant observations, including images and highly detailed data known as spectra. Its operations have led to a 'parade' of discoveries by astronomers around the world.
Two for two! A duo of interacting galaxies commemorates the second science anniversary of NASA 's James Webb Space Telescope, which takes constant observations, including images and highly detailed data known as spectra. Its operations have led to a 'parade' of discoveries by astronomers around the world.
Also take a moment to scan the background. Webb's image is overflowing with distant galaxies. Some take spiral and oval shapes, like those threaded throughout the Penguin's"tail feathers," while others scattered throughout are shapeless dots. This is a testament to the sensitivity and resolution of the telescope's infrared instruments.
Their ongoing interaction was set in motion between 25 and 75 million years ago, when the Penguin and the Egg completed their first pass. They will go on to shimmy and sway, completing several additional loops before merging into a single galaxy hundreds of millions of years from now.Before their first approach, the Penguin held the shape of a spiral. Today, its galactic center gleams like an eye, its unwound arms now shaping a beak, head, backbone, and fanned-out tail.
In contrast, the Egg's compact shape remains largely unchanged. As an elliptical galaxy, it is filled with aging stars, and has a lot less gas and dust that can be pulled away to form new stars. If both were spiral galaxies, each would end the first"twist" with new star formation and twirling curls, known as tidal tails.
Want one more party trick? Switch to Webb's mid-infrared-only image to see PGC 1237172 practically disappear. Mid-infrared light largely captures cooler, older stars and an incredible amount of dust. Since the galaxy's stellar population is so young, it"vanishes" in mid-infrared light.Scientists working with data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have obtained the first full spectra of some of the earliest starlight in the universe. The images provide the clearest ...
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