The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has successfully observed a vortex galaxy located 27 million light years away from Earth. Known as the Whirlpool Galaxy due to its spiral structure, the M51 galaxy has been captured by the JWST’s mid-infrared instruments and near-infrared camera. The captured image reveals filamentous dust in dark red, while the orange and yellow parts represent ionized gas from newly formed star clusters. This trace is a result of a strong internal interaction within the galaxy.
Originally discovered by Charles Messier in 1773, the spiral structure of M51 was confirmed by scientists in 1845. Comprised of two galaxies, NGC 5194 and NGC 5195, M51 is sometimes referred to as the ‘rich man’ galaxy, as it resembles a father and son. With 160 billion times the mass of the sun, M51 is positioned near Eta in the Big Dipper but belongs to Canis Hunt. It is currently headed towards NGC 5195.
Although the Hubble Space Telescope previously captured images of M51, the JWST’s technology surpasses it due to its ‘Observation Wavelength’. While the Hubble Space Telescope observes celestial bodies in the visible light region, the JWST focuses on the infrared region, which has a longer wavelength. This allows the JWST to capture images from further distances and darker places, similar to a thermal imaging camera. Additionally, its location at the ‘Lagrange Point’, 1.5 million km away from Earth, enables clear pictures without light distortion.
As a result, the JWST is expected to observe the first stars and galaxies that emerged 13.8 billion years ago after the birth of the universe. This groundbreaking technology may also provide data to solve challenging astronomical and space research problems, including black holes and the universe’s rate of expansion. In summary, the JWST holds the potential to unravel the mysteries behind the birth of our universe.
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Reporter Kim In-han, Money Today | 2023.08.31 08:29
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The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has managed to observe a vortex galaxy in space 27 million light years away from Earth. / Photo = The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) captured the galaxy M51 from space 27 million light years from Earth (light years, about 9.46 trillion km, the distance light travels in a year). M51 is also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy because of its spiral structure. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on the 30th that the JWST is observing the interior of the M51 galaxy using mid-infrared instruments and a near-infrared camera. The dark red part of the image is filamentous dust, while the orange and yellow parts are ionized by gas from newly formed star clusters. It is a trace created by a strong internal interaction.
M51 was first discovered by Charles Messier in 1773, and its spiral structure was confirmed by later scientists in 1845. M51 consists of two galaxies (NGC 5194 and NGC 5195), and is sometimes referred to as the ‘rich man’ galaxy because it resembles to father and son.
Image of the M51 galaxy using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) near-infrared camera. / Photo = National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) M51 is near Eta, the Big Dipper, but belongs to Canis Hunt. It has 160 billion times the mass of the sun. M51 is heading towards NGC 5195.
The Hubble Space Telescope captured M51 before the JWST, but not as sharply. JWST’s most powerful technology is ‘Observation Wavelength’. The Hubble Space Telescope observed celestial bodies in the visible light region that we see with our eyes.
However, JWST observes celestial bodies in the infrared region, which has a longer wavelength than visible light. In the same form as a thermal imaging camera, it is possible to shoot further and darker places. In addition, it is located at the ‘Lagrange Point’, 1.5 million km away from the earth, so you can take clear pictures without light distortion.
For this reason, the JWST is expected to be able to observe even the first stars and galaxies born after the birth of the universe 13.8 billion years ago. In addition, it may be possible to secure data that can solve difficult problems in astronomy and space research, such as black holes and the rate of expansion of the universe. He will be able to unravel the story of the birth of the universe.
Capture of galaxy M51 using the mid-infrared instrument of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). / Photo = National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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