James Webb Space Telescope Unveils Breathtaking Image of Star-Forming Spiral Galaxy NGC 2090.

 

In the latest “Picture of the Month” from NASA/ESA/CSA, the James Webb Space Telescope presents a breathtaking view of the spiral galaxy NGC 2090, located in the constellation Columba. This image, a combination of data from Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) and NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera), showcases the galaxy’s distinctive spiral arms, filled with swirling gas, dust, and star-forming regions, in unprecedented detail.

NGC 2090, first studied in depth by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope in 1998 as part of a project to refine the Hubble constant, is a valuable object of study for astronomers. The galaxy’s Cepheid variable stars helped calculate its distance, originally estimated at 37 million light-years. Newer measurements now place NGC 2090 at a slightly greater distance of 40 million light-years. This week, alongside Webb’s new image, a fresh Hubble image of NGC 2090 has also been released, offering another layer of insight into this cosmic marvel.

Characterized as a “flocculent spiral,” NGC 2090 features a patchy, dusty disc with spiral arms that can appear fragmented or faint in visible light. Webb’s NIRCam, however, pierces through the dust, revealing the spiral arms and the blue glow of bright stars in remarkable clarity. Meanwhile, Webb’s MIRI captures the mid-infrared light emitted by carbon-based compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, highlighting the complex web of gas and dust, and coloring these regions in red.

This observation is part of an ongoing Webb programme (#3707) aimed at studying nearby massive, star-forming galaxies. These galaxies, like NGC 2090, are ideal for Webb’s instruments to capture comprehensive images of star-forming activity, including tightly-bound star clusters and the dense clouds of gas in which stars are born. The detailed images produced by Webb will continue to inform astronomers’ understanding of these dynamic environments for years to come.

The striking image of NGC 2090 offers a glimpse into the galaxy’s active, evolving structure, with a glowing center surrounded by winding spiral arms and a rich tapestry of dust and stellar formation. As Webb continues its exploration, it promises to unlock more of the universe’s hidden wonders, providing essential data for future studies of star formation and galaxy evolution.

The image depicts a spiral galaxy with a bright central core, from which two pale red spiral arms extend, encircling the galaxy. These arms are surrounded by a bright whirl of gas and dust, with spots of star formation scattered throughout. The galaxy’s disc fades into the background, where additional patches of dust and distant stars are visible.