The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured extraordinary images of 19 nearby spiral galaxies, providing unprecedented detail that has even astounded researchers familiar with these galaxies. The images, part of the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS (PHANGS) project, showcase the intricate structures of these galaxies in near- and mid-infrared light, revealing details about star formation cycles never observed before at such small scales. These observations have revealed bubbles and filaments within the galaxies, offering new insights into the processes that govern star formation and the distribution of gas and dust within these cosmic structures.
The JWST, launched in 2021, has been instrumental in expanding our understanding of the universe, building on the legacy of the Hubble Space Telescope by observing the cosmos in infrared wavelengths. This allows JWST to see through the dusty clouds where stars are born, a phase of star formation that remains largely mysterious. The images from JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) have captured around 100,000 star clusters and potentially billions of individual stars, providing a new perspective on the early phases of star formation.
Spiral galaxies, like the Milky Way, are characterized by their pinwheel shape, and many have a bar-like structure extending from their center. The new data from JWST suggests that galaxies grow from the inside out, with spiral arms playing a crucial role in gathering gas for star formation and bars funneling gas towards the galactic center. These findings are critical for understanding galaxy evolution and the lifecycle of star formation.
For more detailed insights, you can explore the discussions on these topics at NASA Science and CGTN.
