James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Telescope captured some stunning images of the spiral Phantom Galaxy, aka Messier 74, located around 32 million light-years from Earth.
What’s more intriguing is that the photos show the galaxy’s star-forming regions, dust, and gas clouds in crisp relief. Check them out below!
A Spiral Galaxy Seen As Never Before
The newest images from Webb were created in collab with the Hubble Space Telescope. Researchers merged the two observatories’ data to make breathtaking images of the spiral Phantom Galaxy because of how faint and challenging it is to see in the sky.
Take a look below at the fascinating galaxy in optical light:
The Phantom Galaxy is more than 13 billion years old, and just like Milky Way, it’s a spiral galaxy. Different aspects of the galaxy’s structure are highlighted when viewed via different light wavelengths.
Moreover, the galactic center is too bright in Hubble’s optical photographs to show many details, but in Webb’s infrared perspective, you can actually see the individual pinpricks of light.
For example, see those bright pink in the picture? They are hydrogen-rich areas where stars are formed! Hubble and Webb’s data are combined to create a composite image that emphasizes the galaxy’s nucleus while preserving spiral arm traits, such as the brownish-red dust.
But to better understand, check out how the galaxy is seen in optical, optical/ mid-infrared, and infrared wavelengths:
Additionally, the wavelengths induce emotional states. The galaxy appears more ghostly in the optical view than in the infrared image, which depicts it as a terrifying space vortex. How intriguing!
Because of its location and well-articulated spiral arms, the Phantom Galaxy is an excellent target for astronomers looking to understand galactic development better. Also, since the gas is missing in the galaxy’s nucleus, the star cluster at its core is really well-resolved. So, expect more stunning pictures in the future!