In the vast expanse of space, a celestial dance unfolds, captured in a breathtaking new image from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This cosmic spectacle features Arp 107, a captivating pair of interacting galaxies located 465 million light-years away in the constellation Leo Minor.
The image showcases a large spiral galaxy, reminiscent of our own Milky Way, engaged in a gravitational tango with a smaller elliptical galaxy. This captivating duo was first documented by American astronomer Halton Arp in his 1966 “Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies,” earning them the designation Arp 107.
While Hubble Space Telescope captured a glimpse of Arp 107 last year, JWST’s powerful infrared gaze unveils a whole new level of detail. This allows astronomers to study the chaotic interaction of these galaxies in wavelengths of light invisible to Hubble and our own eyes. The result is a stunning sight that evokes a cosmic smile.
The two galaxy cores, ablaze with light, form the bright “eyes” of this celestial face. A bridge of stars, stretching between them, creates a semicircular “smile” – a testament to the gravitational forces that bind these galaxies together.
The image is a composite of data from two JWST cameras: the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) and the Near Infrared Camera. These instruments detect wavelengths of light that reveal a wealth of information beyond Hubble’s capabilities. MIRI’s data, published separately, unveils star-forming regions, dust, and a bright nucleus within the larger spiral galaxy. This nucleus is a Seyfert galaxy, housing an incredibly bright active galactic nucleus powered by a supermassive black hole.
Arp 107’s image resonates with JWST’s 2022 image of the Cartwheel Galaxy, also showcasing interacting galaxies. The image serves as a reminder that the universe holds an endless supply of awe-inspiring wonders, waiting to be unveiled by the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery.
While Arp 107 is too distant to be visible through backyard telescopes, stargazers can enjoy a glimpse of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) during September. This spiral galaxy, larger than the Milky Way, resides approximately 2.5 million light-years away and graces the northeastern sky after nightfall in the Northern Hemisphere. As you gaze at this celestial neighbor, remember that the universe is filled with countless stories waiting to be told, and the James Webb Space Telescope is a remarkable tool for unraveling these cosmic mysteries.
