Skip to main content

The Webb telescope studied the birth of a giant cluster.

 



The image captured by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope showcases the H II region N79 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way. This nebula, composed of ionized interstellar atomic hydrogen, is observed through Webb's Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI). N79, a vast star-forming complex spanning about 1630 light-years in the largely unexplored southwest region of the LMC, is considered a younger counterpart to the well-known 30 Doradus (Tarantula Nebula), another recent target of the Webb telescope. Research indicates that N79 has exhibited a star formation efficiency twice that of 30 Doradus over the past 500,000 years.


This specific image focuses on N79 South (S1), one of the three giant molecular cloud complexes. The pronounced 'starburst' pattern surrounding the bright object is a result of diffraction spikes, common artifacts in telescopes using mirrors to collect light, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb). In Webb's case, the hexagonal symmetry of its 18 primary mirror segments produces six prominent starburst spikes. These patterns are particularly noticeable around intensely bright and compact objects where light originates from a single source. Most galaxies, despite appearing small to our eyes, lack the brightness and concentration to exhibit such patterns.


In the MIRI-captured longer wavelengths of light, the James Webb Space Telescope reveals the glowing gas and dust within N79, showcasing the region's intricate details. Mid-infrared light, unlike shorter wavelengths, penetrates deeper into the clouds, avoiding absorption or scattering by dust grains in the nebula. Notably, some protostars that are still embedded in the region are visible in this field.


Astronomers find star-forming regions like N79 intriguing because their chemical composition resembles that of massive star-forming regions observed when the Universe was only a few billion years old, during the peak of star formation. Unlike star-forming regions in our Milky Way, which are not producing stars at the same intense rate as N79 and have a different chemical composition, N79 offers a unique opportunity for astronomers to study and compare star formation. Webb's deep observations of distant galaxies in the early Universe further enhance this comparative analysis.


The observations of N79 are part of a comprehensive Webb program focused on studying the evolution of circumstellar discs and envelopes around forming stars, spanning a broad mass range and different evolutionary stages. Webb's exceptional sensitivity allows scientists to make groundbreaking detections, including the identification of planet-forming dust discs around stars with masses similar to that of our Sun, situated in the Large Magellanic Cloud. In this image, various wavelengths are represented: 7.7-micron light in blue, 10 microns in cyan, 15 microns in yellow, and 21 microns in red. These wavelengths, captured through 770W, 1000W, 1500W, and 2100W filters respectively, provide valuable insights into the intricate details of the region's composition and structure.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

NASA/ESA Hubble Telescope Captures Image of Supernova to Aid Distance Measurements.

  The Hubble Space Telescope has recently captured a striking image of a supernova-hosting galaxy, located approximately 600 million light-years away in the constellation Gemini. This image, taken about two months after the discovery of supernova SN 2022aajn, reveals a bright blue dot at the center, signifying the explosive event. Although SN 2022aajn was first announced in November 2022, it has not yet been the subject of extensive research. However, Hubble's interest in this particular supernova lies in its classification as a Type Ia supernova, a type that is key to measuring cosmic distances. Type Ia supernovae occur when a star's core collapses, and they are particularly useful for astronomers because they have a predictable intrinsic brightness. No matter how far away a Type Ia supernova is, it emits the same amount of light. By comparing its observed brightness to this known luminosity, astronomers can calculate how far away the supernova — and its host galaxy — are from...

Solar Storm Shocker: Earth Gets a Cosmic Makeover with Two New Radiation Belts!

  The May 2024 solar storm formed two new radiation belts between the Van Allen Belts, with one containing protons, creating a unique composition never observed before. Picture this: May 2024, the Sun throws a massive tantrum, sending a solar storm hurtling toward Earth. The result? Stunning auroras light up the skies, GPS systems go haywire, and—wait for it—Earth gets two brand-new *temporary* radiation belts! That’s right, our planet just got a cosmic upgrade, thanks to the largest solar storm in two decades. And no, this isn’t a sci-fi movie plot—it’s real science, folks!   Thanks to NASA’s Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment (CIRBE) satellite, scientists discovered these new belts, which are like Earth’s Van Allen Belts’ quirky cousins. Published on February 6, 2025, in the *Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics*, this discovery is a game-changer for space research, especially for protecting satellites and astronauts from solar storm shenanigans. ...

Tropical Cyclone Sean Hits Western Australia, Breaking Rainfall Records and Causing Damage.

  On January 17, 2025, a tropical low formed over the Indian Ocean off Western Australia. By January 19, the system had intensified into Tropical Cyclone Sean, marking the second tropical cyclone of Australia’s 2024–2025 season. NASA’s Terra satellite, using the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument, captured a detailed image of the storm at around 10 a.m. local time (02:00 Universal Time) on January 20, 2025. Later that same day, Cyclone Sean reached its peak strength as a Category 4 storm. Despite staying offshore and not making landfall, Cyclone Sean still brought significant impacts to the Pilbara coast. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reported that Karratha, a coastal city in the region, received a staggering 274.4 millimeters (10.8 inches) of rain in just 24 hours, setting a new single-day rainfall record for the city. The powerful storm caused widespread flooding, with roads submerged, homes affected, and power infrastructure damaged. Se...