Webb unveils the underlying structure of 19 spiral galaxies

The James Webb Space Telescope, a joint effort between NASA, ESA, and CSA, has recently captured a stunning collection of images that offer an up-close and detailed view of 19 face-on spiral galaxies. These near- and mid-infrared portraits provide a glimpse into the intricate structures of stars, gas, and dust beyond our own galaxy, offering invaluable insights into the origins of these celestial formations.

By closely examining the clearly defined arms of each galaxy, researchers have discovered a variety of intriguing features. In some cases, there are old star clusters and even active supermassive black holes at the centers of these spirals. It is only through the James Webb Space Telescope’s unique capabilities that such highly detailed scenes of nearby galaxies have become possible, combining near- and mid-infrared light to unveil secrets previously unseen.

This collection of images is part of an extensive project known as the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS (PHANGS) program, which has garnered support from over 150 astronomers worldwide. Prior to the James Webb Space Telescope’s contributions, PHANGS had already accumulated vast amounts of data from other observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope, the Very Large Telescope’s Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. However, the addition of Webb’s near- and mid-infrared data has provided new puzzle pieces for scientists to analyze.

One of the telescope’s instruments, NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera), has captured millions of stars in these images, with their brilliant blue tones sparkling throughout the spiral arms. While some stars are dispersed along these arms, others gather tightly together in star clusters. Another instrument, MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument), has highlighted glowing dust that indicates its presence behind, around, and between stars. Furthermore, MIRI has also revealed stars in their early stages of formation, surrounded by gas and dust that nourish their growth, resembling bright red seeds atop dusty peaks. Astonishingly, Webb’s images also showcase large, spherical shells in the gas and dust, potentially formed by exploded stars.

In addition to these mesmerizing features, the extended regions of gas within the spiral arms exhibit vibrant details in red and orange. Astronomers are carefully studying the spacing of these structures to better comprehend how galaxies distribute their gas and dust, crucial information for understanding the formation, maintenance, and cessation of star formation within galaxies.

Evidence suggests that star formation within galaxies occurs from the inside out, with the process initiating at the cores and progressively spiraling outward along the arms. Stars positioned farther from the galactic core are typically younger, while areas near the cores that appear illuminated by a blue spotlight consist of older star populations. Furthermore, cores displaying diffraction spikes in pink and red may indicate the presence of an active supermassive black hole or saturation caused by bright star clusters near the center.

The wealth of PHANGS data, combined with the unprecedented number of stars resolved by the James Webb Space Telescope, discovers a high number of avenues for scientific exploration. Researchers now have the opportunity to delve into various research directions using this valuable dataset. As a testament to their dedication to knowledge sharing, the PHANGS team has also released the largest catalog to date, containing approximately 100,000 star clusters.

The James Webb Space Telescope represents a major leap in astronomical capability. It isn’t only the largest but also the most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA played an important role in providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. ESA was also responsible for adapting Ariane 5 for the Webb mission and procuring the launch service through Arianespace. Additionally, ESA contributed NIRSpec, a key spectrograph, and 50% of MIRI, the mid-infrared instrument. The latter instrument was developed and built by a consortium of nationally funded European institutes in partnership with JPL and the University of Arizona. The James Webb Space Telescope is a testament to international partnership, involving NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency.

To further explore these fascinating images, all files for the 19 galaxies can be downloaded from the provided link. For media inquiries, please contact ESA Media Relations at [email protected].

To wrap it up, the James Webb Space Telescope has allowed us to embark on an unprecedented journey through the intricate structures of 19 face-on spiral galaxies. The stunning near- and mid-infrared portraits offer a glimpse into the origins of stars, gas, and dust beyond our own galaxy, providing essential knowledge for advancing our understanding of star formation and the evolution of spiral galaxies. Through international collaboration and the combined efforts of PHANGS and the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have gained valuable insights into the mysteries of our universe.