The James Webb Space Telescope, a marvel of modern astronomy, has delivered another stunning image, this time capturing the captivating event of two galaxies colliding. The galactic pair, known as Arp 107, are located a staggering 465 million light-years away and have been sculpted into bizarre shapes by the immense gravitational forces at play. But this collision is not purely destructive; it’s a cosmic dance of creation as well.
The image, a composite assembled from data gathered by Webb’s NIRCam (Near-InfraRed Camera) and MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument), reveals the intricate details of this cosmic event. The instruments, each sensitive to different parts of the infrared spectrum, offer complementary insights. The near-infrared data, displayed in white, highlights the older stars and the band of gas stretching between the two galaxies. Meanwhile, the mid-infrared data, showcased in orange and red, illuminates the vibrant regions of star formation, where young, energetic stars emit copious amounts of radiation.
Focusing solely on the MIRI data, one can discern intriguing features like the glow emanating from the supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy on the right. Although the black hole itself is invisible, the swirling dust and gas orbiting its event horizon heat up intensely as they move, creating a brilliant glow. The swirling patterns of star formation in the image bear a striking resemblance to the Cartwheel Galaxy, another example of a galaxy undergoing a dramatic interaction.
These galactic interactions, or collisions, have a profound impact on the evolution of galaxies, influencing their shape and star formation rates. As Webb scientists note, “The collision isn’t as bad as it sounds.” While star formation was already occurring before the collision, the gravitational forces at play compress gas, providing ideal conditions for the birth of new stars. However, the collision also disperses gas, potentially limiting the material available for future star formation.
The Arp 107 pair will continue to merge over hundreds of millions of years, eventually coalescing into a single, unified galaxy. The James Webb Telescope continues to provide breathtaking glimpses into the universe, unveiling the cosmic processes that shape our understanding of the cosmos.
