Webb highlights spiral arms of galaxy NGC 2090 in infrared detail
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Nov 28, 2024
Featured in this month's image from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope is the spiral galaxy NGC 2090, situated in the constellation Columba. Using data from Webb's MIRI and NIRCam instruments, the image captures the galaxy's two elegant spiral arms and intricate patterns of gas and dust with unprecedented clarity.

Previously studied by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to refine the measurement of the Universe's expansion rate (the Hubble constant), NGC 2090 holds a prominent place in astronomy. A 1998 Hubble project used the galaxy's Cepheid variable stars to calculate a distance of 37 million light-years from Earth. Updated measurements now place it at about 40 million light-years away. Recently, Hubble released a new visible and ultraviolet light image of NGC 2090 to complement Webb's infrared data.

NGC 2090, classified as a "flocculent" spiral galaxy, is known for its patchy, dusty disc and irregular spiral arms. While Hubble's visible-light images showcase these patterns, Webb's advanced instruments bring new clarity. NIRCam's near-infrared data highlights bright starlight, especially near the galaxy's center, displayed as a vivid blue in the image. Simultaneously, MIRI's mid-infrared capabilities capture the glow of carbon-based compounds in the dust and gas, represented in red.

The data presented here comes from an observing program focusing on massive, star-forming galaxies at an optimal distance for Webb's instruments to analyze their stellar activity. This research sheds light on clusters of young stars and the gaseous environments fueling their formation. Astronomers expect the collection of detailed observations from this program to provide valuable insights into star formation processes for years to come.

Related Links
Webb at ESA
Stellar Chemistry, The Universe And All Within It