Despite vast amounts of space in space, cosmic stuff still bumps, smashes, and sideswipes other celestial objects, with no traffic cops in the sky to tame reckless drivers.
The James Webb Space Telescope, the powerful observatory orbiting the sun about 1 million miles from Earth, has made rubbernecking space impacts that much easier. It recently caught the aftermath of a catastrophic collision on camera. The subject, known as the Cartwheel Galaxy, shows what happened after a smaller galaxy impaled a large spiral galaxy similar in shape to the Milky Way. The shockwaves from the crash kicked up gas and dust and ignited new star-forming hotbeds.
iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop—$329.99(List Price $599.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet—$178.99(List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case—$189.99(List Price $249.00)
Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders)—$149.99(List Price $199.99)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band)—$299.00(List Price $399.00)
Other telescopes such as Hubble have previously studied the Cartwheel, about 500 million light-years away in the Sculptor constellation, to learn about the collision that reshaped it over billions of years. But much of the galaxy's structure has eluded astronomers because of how much has remained hidden from sight. NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency are using the new photo released on Tuesday to demonstrate, yet again, the power of their new telescope.
Left:WebbAugust 2022Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Webb ERO Production TeamRight:HubbleJanuary 2018Credit: ESA / Hubble / NASAWebb, which can see through previously impenetrable space mirk, has upped the ante in the forensic analysis of the Cartwheel Galaxy. Astronomers say they can now see baby stars on its outer edges, new details of the supermassive black hole at its center, and two smaller companion galaxies, along with a deep canvas of distant galaxies upon galaxies upon galaxies.
The Cartwheel has two concentric rings — an uncommon galactic shape found in the universe. The galaxy's bright center features a black hole surrounded by dense gas and hot dust. The most torrid areas host older stars, while the outer rim, expanding over 440 million years, is teeming with young stars and explosive supernovas.
"As this [outer] ring expands, it plows into surrounding gas and triggers star formation."
"As this [outer] ring expands," according to the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, "it plows into surrounding gas and triggers star formation."
Astronomers are also learning more about what makes up the dust in the galaxy with images from Webb's mid-infrared instrument.Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Webb ERO Production TeamThe telescope's near-infrared camera data are shown in blue, orange, and yellow. The blue dots are individual stars or pockets of star nurseries. This camera also displays the contrasting smooth old star regions and clumpy new star areas.
Tweet may have been deleted
Astronomers are also learning more about what makes up the dust in the galaxy with images from Webb's mid-infrared instrument. The data, colored red, shows regions chock full of hydrocarbons, silica similar to that found on Earth, and other compounds. These chemicals form a framework of spiraling wheel spokes.
Scientists say though the Hubble photo taken four years ago captured the "spokes," too, Webb's picture brings out significantly more detail in them.
TopicsNASA
(责任编辑：探索)
Slack goes down again, prompting anxiety everywhere
10 'sexy' Halloween costumes that offend the animal kingdom
Apple squashes more bugs with iOS 10.0.3, but just for iPhone 7 users
Lady Gaga politely extinguishes the Chainsmokers' diss
Snapchat is about to explode in popularity, report saysHiddleswift finally followed each other on Instagram after 3 excruciating days
On Aug. 13, 1961, Germany began construction of the Berlin Wall, perhaps the greatest symbol of the
...[详细]New video reveals clouds forming above volcanoes on Mars
New ultraviolet images beamed from Mars by NASA's MAVEN spacecraft show huge swaths of clouds formin
...[详细]'Vogue' makes historic political endorsement for U.S. presidency
LONDON -- Vogue has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president of the United States -- the first time in
...[详细]
LOS ANGELES -- Here's a classic love triangle no one would've predicted: Disney movies will soon be
...[详细]Hiddleswift finally followed each other on Instagram after 3 excruciating days
On Aug. 13, 1961, Germany began construction of the Berlin Wall, perhaps the greatest symbol of the
...[详细]Marco Rubio warns Republicans to steer clear of WikiLeaks talk
Senator Marco Rubio is urging Donald Trump to quit focusing on Hillary Clinton's hacked emails.Unlik
...[详细]iMessage hack floods Apple users with Chinese texts
Some Apple users are suffering a hack tied to their iMessage accounts, according to one victim of th
...[详细]Everyone, stop freaking out about this Facebook hoax
Apparently Facebook hoaxes are still alive and well in the year 2016. An old one is making the round
...[详细]Here's George Takei chilling in zero gravity for the 'Star Trek' anniversary
There's nothing like good friends, good memories and zero gravity to celebrate a milestone. 。In honor
...[详细]Marco Rubio warns Republicans to steer clear of WikiLeaks talk
Senator Marco Rubio is urging Donald Trump to quit focusing on Hillary Clinton's hacked emails.Unlik
...[详细]Dog elected for third term as mayor of Minnesota town
Florida fans leave Amy Schumer show after election talk gets too real
