Webb penetrates dust clouds to capture star formation

2023-06-02 11:47:48

This image of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 5068 is a composite of two of the James Webb Space Telescope’s instruments, MIRI and NIRCam. – ESA/WEBB, NASA & CSA

MADRID, 2 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –

A combination of two Webb Space Telescope instruments has allowed us to see through the gigantic clouds of dust in the galaxy NGC 5068 and capture star formation processes.

The bright tendrils of gas and stars belong to the barred spiral galaxy NGC 5068, whose bright central bar is seen in the upper left of this image.

With his ability to peer through the gas and dust that shroud newborn stars, Webb is particularly well-suited for exploring the processes that govern star formation. Stars and planetary systems are born in swirling clouds of gas and dust. which are opaque to visible light observatories such as Hubble or the VLT.

The sharp vision in infrared wavelengths from two of Webb’s instruments, MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) and NIRCam (Near Infrared Camera), allowed astronomers to see through the gigantic dust clouds in NGC 5068 — 20 million light years away– and capture star formation processes as they happened.

This image combines the capabilities of these two instruments, providing a truly unique look at the composition of NGC 5068, NASA explains. it’s a statement.