Astronomers utilized the mid-infrared instrument (Miri) on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to capture breathtaking infrared images of the heart of Messier 82, an edge-on starburst galaxy located approximately 12 million light-years away.
This Webb/Miri image highlights the central region of the Starburst Galaxy Messier 82. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/Webb/A. Bolatto.
Messier 82 is positioned higher in the Northern Spring Sky, situated within the Ursa Major constellation’s direction.
The galaxy was first identified by German astronomer Johann Erard Bord in 1774 and is estimated to be around 40,000 light-years old.
Messier 82 is also referred to as the Cigar Galaxy due to its elongated oval shape, a result of the tilt of its stellar disk relative to our perspective.
Known for its exceptional rate of star formation, galaxies like Messier 82 generate stars ten times faster than our Milky Way.
“Though smaller than the Milky Way, Messier 82 is five times as luminous and creates stars at a rate 10 times greater,” the Webb astronomers noted.
“Classified as a Starburst Galaxy, Messier 82 is particularly active in its center, producing new stars at an accelerated pace compared to other galaxies of its size.”
In visible light images, the central region’s intense activity is concealed by a thick veil of dust clouds, but Webb’s infrared capabilities allow it to penetrate this obscuring layer and unveil the hidden dynamism.
“The reason for the star formation surge in Messier 82 likely lies with its gravitational interactions with the neighboring Spiral Galaxy Messier 81,” the astronomers remarked.
“These interactions directed gas towards the center of Messier 82 millions of years ago.”
“This influx of gas supplied essential materials for new star formation, resulting in Messier 82’s distinct structure! The galaxy boasts over 100 superstar clusters.”
“Superstar clusters are larger and more luminous than normal star clusters, each containing approximately 100,000 stars.”
Earlier Webb images of Messier 82, utilizing data from the telescope’s near-infrared camera (Nircam), were made public in 2024.
These images concentrated on the galaxy’s core, where individual clusters of young stars contrasted with gas clumps and tendrils.
The latest images from Webb’s Miri instruments provide an astonishing, almost starless view of Messier 82.
“Instead, these images highlight warm dust and a complex cloud of sooted organic molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),” the researchers explained.
“Emissions from PAH molecules trace the expansive runoff of the galaxy, propelled by intense radiation and winds from the hot young stars within the central superstar cluster.”
“Superstar clusters are responsible for Messier 82’s powerful galactic winds, which may signal the conclusion of the galaxy’s Starburst period. These winds, transforming into massive waves in intergalactic space, carry the cool gas necessary for further star formation.”
Source: www.sci.news
