Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have captured a new image of the central starburst region of Messier 82 (M82, NGC 3034 or the Cigar Galaxy), a starburst irregular galaxy located 12 million light-years away in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Messier 82 is located about 12 million light-years away. It appears high in the northern spring sky in the direction of the northern constellation Ursa Major.
First discovered by the German astronomer Johann Elert Bode in 1774, the galaxy is approximately 40,000 light-years across.
Messier 82 is also called the Cigar Galaxy because of the elongated elliptical shape produced by the tilt of its starry disk relative to our line of sight.
The galaxy is famous for its extraordinary speed in making new stars, with stars being born 10 times faster than in our Milky Way Galaxy.
University of Maryland astronomer Alberto Bolatto and his colleagues directed Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument toward the center of Messier 82, obtaining a closer look at the physical conditions that foster the formation of new stars.
“Messier 82 has garnered a variety of observations over the years because it can be considered as the prototypical starburst galaxy,” Dr. Bolatto said.
“Both Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes have observed this target. With Webb’s size and resolution, we can look at this star-forming galaxy and see all of this beautiful new detail.”
“Star formation continues to maintain a sense of mystery because it is shrouded by curtains of dust and gas, creating an obstacle to observing this process.”
“Fortunately, Webb’s ability to peer in the infrared is an asset in navigating these murky conditions.”
“Additionally, these NIRCam images of the very center of the starburst were obtained using an instrument mode that prevented the very bright source from overwhelming the detector.”
“While dark brown tendrils of dust are threaded throughout Messier 82’s glowing…
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