A new image shows the ephemeral dust and gas configurations in a nearby galaxies. James Webb Space Telescope.
It is called NGC 6822It is a small dwarf galaxy, only 7,000 light-years across, with a low density of heavy elements. This dwarf galaxy is only 7,000 light years across and has very few heavy elements. Yet, most of its stars are born within the Milky Way. Last 5 Billion Years.
Barnard’s Galaxy is a great laboratory to study the evolution of galaxies during the early Universe because of its apparent mismatch in properties. There were several metals before.Around and around you go
Stars are responsible for all elements heavier than hydrogen and Helium. The cores of these giant balls are able to smash atoms into heavier elements. All the way to IronWhen they collide or explode, extreme violence is produced. heavier elements still.
Barnard’s Galaxy has spent the majority of its life in this galaxy Relative isolationThis is because it has not interacted with any other object. It could be that it is so low in metallicity because it was subjected to relatively few gravitational disturbances, which could have compressed the dust and gas. Triggering star formation. Scientists think that it happened around 3-4 billion years ago when the Milky Way was close enough for the gravity of our galaxy to get things moving.
As it turns out, this is great news. We have an object nearby that is low on metallicity and is forming star, giving us a glimpse into how galaxies might have appeared in the early Universe.
JWST provides an excellent observatory. Its mid-infrared telescope, MIRIThe near-infrared device can be used to see the subtleties of infrared light that is emitted from gas. NIRCamDust and gas are rendered almost invisible.
JWST has released a new image. Combining the views from both instruments. The swirls of gas and dust are greenish-yellow; the bright red areas are regions of star formation. The orange blobs represent more distant galaxies. And the dense field of sparkling stars is all around.
This fascinating galaxy’s study is ongoing. However, the results should hopefully help astronomers better understand how the Universe was born.
Download the latest image as wallpaper. ESA Webb Website.
