Researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope are getting their first look at star formation, gas and dust in nearby galaxies with unprecedented resolution at infrared wavelengths using Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI).
New imagery from United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s James Webb Space Telescope is giving scientists their first look into the fine structure of nearby galaxies. The researchers can now see how the dust in the interstellar medium has absorbed the light from forming stars and emitted it back out. Seen here: Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1433. Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA and J Lee (NOIRLab). Image processing: A Pagan (STScI)
The largest survey yet of nearby galaxies is being carried out by the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby Galaxies collaboration, involving more than 100 researchers from around the globe. The team is studying a diverse sample of 19 spiral galaxies. Seen here: Spiral arms of NGC 7496. Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA and J Lee (NOIRLab). Image processing: A Pagan (STScI)
Areas which are completely dark in Hubble imaging light up in exquisite detail in these new images, including glowing cavities of dust and bubbles of gas that line the spiral arms. Now scientists can conduct a complete census of star formation and take inventories of the interstellar medium bubble structures in nearby galaxies. Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA and J Lee (NOIRLab). Image processing: A Pagan (STScI)
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