Researchers traced light that was emitted by the bright white elliptical galaxy on the left through ... [+]
NASA has published a brand-new image from the James Webb Space Telescope that uses a little data from the ageing Hubble Space Telescope.
The new image of a pair of galaxies called VV 191 uses data collected in infrared light by Webb and in both visible and ultraviolet light by Hubble.
The new composite image shows never-before-seen detail in a white elliptical galaxy (left) and a spiral galaxy (right). The two galaxies are relatively close, but not actively interacting.
“Webb’s near-infrared data also show us the galaxy’s longer, extremely dusty spiral arms in far more detail, giving the arms an appearance of overlapping with the central bulge of the bright white elliptical galaxy on the left,” said Rogier Windhorst, Webb interdisciplinary scientist, on a NASA blog.
The two galaxies were chosen from many thousands for their ability to help astronomers directly compare the properties of galactic dust.
“Understanding where dust is present in galaxies is important, because dust changes the brightness and colors that appear in images of the galaxies,” said Windhorst. “Dust grains are partially responsible for the formation of new stars and planets, so we are always seeking to identify their presence for further studies.”
There’s also another surprise discovery in the galaxy on the left.
Above the white elliptical galaxy at left, a faint red arc appears in the inset at 10 o’clock. This ... [+]
A faint red arc visible in the upper left of the galaxy on the left is an example of gravitational lensing. Gravitational lensing is nature’s magnifying glass. It occurs when the gravitational pull from a closer, but aligned galaxy distorts and bends the light from a distant star or galaxy, causing it to appear misshapen and be magnified. Barely noticeable in the original Hubble telescope observations, it is glaringly obvious in Webb’s version.
The images come from observations performed under JWST Guaranteed Time Observation (GTO) programs 1176 and 2738 as well as from Hubble’s STARSMOG snapshot program.
Webb is the most ambitious and complex space science telescope ever constructed, with a massive 6.5-meter primary mirror that can detect the faint light of far-away stars and galaxies. It’s designed solely to detect infrared light emitted by distant stars, planets and clouds of gas and dust.
It’s initial 10-year mission Webb will study the solar system, directly image exoplanets, photograph the first galaxies, and explore the mysteries of the origins of the Universe.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
