Scientists have been amazed since the first scientific images came out from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). However, we knew that it was only a small show, and at the same time a huge showcase of everything to come. Now, the data from the space observatory has been combined with views from other telescopes to reveal it Stunning new photos Universe.
Recently, astronomers using data from James Webb created composite images by adding the capabilities of the Chandra X-ray Observatory (X-rays), and data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope (optical light) and the retired Spitzer Space Telescope (infrared). In addition to the European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton (X-ray) and the European Southern Observatory’s New Technologies Telescope (optical).
The four composite images offer fascinating views of the universe, showing how these telescopes observe different kinds of phenomena. The four combinations can be seen in the following collage by their respective names.
Star cluster NGC 346
This cluster is located in a nearby galaxy known as the Small Magellanic Cloud, about 200,000 light-years from Earth. An infrared Webb view shows the pillars and arcs of gas and dust that stars and planets use as raw materials during their formation. For its part, the purple cloud on the left seen with Chandra is the remnant of a supernova explosion of a massive star.
According to the observatory’s assistants, Chandra X-rays also reveal young, hot, massive stars that send strong outward winds from their surfaces. Finally, there is also data from Hubble and Spitzer, along with supporting data from XMM-Newton and ESO’s New Technologies Telescope.
Spiral galaxy NGC 1672
In this galaxy categorized as a “prominent” spiral, Chandra data reveals compact objects such as neutron stars or black holes that siphon material from companion stars, as well as the remnants of stars that have exploded, the scientists explain. For its part, additional data from Hubble is helping fill the spiral arms with dust and gas.
M16, popularly known as the Eagle Nebula:
Messier 16 is a famous region in the sky often referred to as the “Pillars of Creation.” This isn’t the first time Webb has helped see this region in stunning detail, this time showing the dark pillars of gas and dust obscuring the few newborn stars still in the process of being formed. For their part, Chandra’s views reveal young stars emitting copious amounts of X-rays, the kind of light this observatory picks up.
Spiral galaxy M74:
Messier 74, or simply M74, is about 32 million light-years away. In this image, the Webb data shows gas and dust in the infrared, while the Chandra data highlights the high-energy activity of stars in the X-ray wavelengths. Similar to NGC 1672, the visible light from Hubble shows more stars and dust along the dust lanes.
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