This portrait of the interacting grand design spiral galaxy Messier 51 is a composite image that integrates data from the Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) and the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope.
Messier 51 is located approximately 27 million light-years away in the constellation of Canes Venatici.
Also known as M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, the Question Mark Galaxy, NGC 5194, Arp 85, and LEDA 47404, the galaxy has a diameter of 77,000 light-years.
Messier 51 was discovered on October 13, 1773 by the French astronomer Charles Messier while hunting for objects that could confuse comet hunters.
It has an apparent magnitude of 8.4 and can be spotted with a small telescope most easily during May.
Astronomers think that Messier 51’s arms are particularly prominent because of the effects of a close encounter with the dwarf galaxy NGC 5195.
The compact galaxy appears to be tugging on the arm, the tidal forces from which trigger new star formation.
“The interaction between these two galaxies has made these galactic neighbors one of the better-studied galaxy pairs in the night sky,” Webb astronomers said.
“The gravitational influence of Messier 51’s smaller companion is thought to be partially responsible for the stately nature of the galaxy’s prominent and distinct spiral arms.”
In the new Webb image, the dark red regions trace the filamentary warm dust permeating the medium of Messier 51.
“The red regions show the reprocessed light from complex molecules forming on dust grains, while colors of orange and yellow reveal the regions of ionized gas by the recently formed star clusters,” the astronomers said.
“Stellar feedback has a dramatic effect on the medium of the galaxy and create complex network of bright knots as well as cavernous black bubbles.”
This Webb observation of Messier 51 is one of a series of observations collectively titled Feedback in Emerging extrAgalactic Star clusTers (FEAST).
“The…
Read the full article here