AI Generated Image
Webb Space Telescope photographs weird galaxy that not only looks “unusual,” but behaves oddly too
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- The James Webb Space Telescope has captured an image of the unusual galaxy NGC 3239 (Arp 263), which displays a distorted shape and misaligned stars relative to its hydrogen gas.
- Arp 263 is classified as an irregular galaxy, likely formed from the merger of two galaxies, with the smaller companion possibly dissolved into the larger one.
- The galaxy's irregularity is attributed to a past gravitational interaction, described as a "gravitational tug-of-war" with a former companion galaxy.
- The image prominently features the bright star BD+17 2217, located within the Milky Way about 7,000 light-years away, often appearing as a "photobomber" in deep-space photos.
- Webb's Near-Infrared Camera revealed clusters of newly formed stars within Arp 263, offering new insights into star formation and making the galaxy a compelling subject for future research.
