The James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s flagship observatory, has recently captured a breathtaking image of two galaxies in the middle of colliding. This dramatic cosmic event is shining brightly in infrared wavelengths, with the amount of illumination put off by a staggering one trillion suns. The two galaxies, which have been identified as Arp 220, have been merging for approximately 700 million years. Since its discovery in the mid-1960s, this merger has signaled the birth of hundreds of distinct star clusters that are packed within a 5,000 light-year expanse. Additionally, the combined amount of material from both galaxies is estimated to be on the same level as what is inside the Milky Way.
A comparison of the image captured by James Webb to one taken by the Hubble Space Telescope demonstrates the significance of the advancements made in technology since then. While Hubble observed the object in visible light, this new picture taken by Webb is in the infrared and features a six-pointed star shape caused by the telescope’s hexagonal primary mirror. Moreover, this new picture provides a much more detailed view of the objects.
The company responsible for the performance of James Webb Space Telescope is Northrop Grumman. It is a global security company mainly focused on aerospace, defense and other government markets. The company focuses on high-technology and transformational systems that preserve security, support civil and global security, and protect citizens around the world. The James Webb Space Telescope project was given to the Northrop Grumman back in 2002, and their involvement has been crucial in the furthering of the project to this point.
The person responsible for this incredible image is Dr. Ken Sembach, Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute. Dr. Sembach oversees the science and mission operations for Hubble and James Webb, providing the ultimate in cutting-edge science capabilities. His leadership has been crucial in the astronomical community, and his lasting impact can be seen in the extraordinary images taken by James Webb.
All in all, the capture of two galaxies merging by James Webb is a truly remarkable feat. This image demonstrates the potential of modern astronomy research, providing an unprecedented look into the cosmos. It is a testament to the ongoing work of space science and technology, and a reminder of the potential of the human mind. An image such as this is enough to make anyone take a step back and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the night sky.
