To celebrate the second anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a captivating image has been released showcasing two galaxies, playfully nicknamed the “Penguin” and the “Egg.”
The Penguin galaxy, formally known as NGC 2936, and the Egg Galaxy, officially designated as NGC 2937, are collectively known as “Arp 12.” These galaxies were previously captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, but this new Webb image provides a more detailed view.
Astronomers describe the interaction of these galaxies as a celestial waltz, a slow dance of two cosmic partners. Their gravitational pull causes them to sway and eventually merge into a single entity.
Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instruments (MIRI) clearly reveal the merging of these galaxies, creating a luminous blue haze composed of stars and gas.
Their initial close encounter occurred approximately 25-75 million years ago, setting in motion a gravitational dance that continues to shape these galaxies.
Before their first close approach, the Penguin Galaxy resembled a typical spiral galaxy. Today, its core forms the penguin’s eye, while its arms have evolved into a beak, head, spine, and tail.
The Penguin Galaxy, rich in gas and dust, is sculpted by this cosmic dance. Gravity pulls gas and dust from its thinner regions, triggering star formation that can be clearly seen in the image, particularly in the fish-like appearance of its beak and the feathers adorning its tail.
Enveloping these newborn stars is a smoky veil of carbon-based molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
The Egg Galaxy, in contrast, remains relatively unchanged due to its compact, elliptical shape. Elliptical galaxies are comprised of older stars with less gas and dust, limiting their susceptibility to gravitational forces that trigger star formation.
Another factor contributing to the Egg Galaxy’s stability is its similar mass to the Penguin Galaxy. Despite the Penguin’s larger appearance, it lacks the gravitational dominance to engulf or significantly distort the Egg Galaxy.
The Penguin and Egg galaxies are estimated to be regarding 100,000 light-years apart, considered quite close on a cosmic scale. Similar interactions are expected to occur within our own Milky Way galaxy. The Andromeda galaxy, located approximately 2.5 million light-years away, is predicted to interact with the Milky Way in roughly 4 billion years.
The image also captures PGC 1237172, a younger galaxy situated in the upper right corner. This galaxy, located regarding 100 million light-years from Earth, is of particular interest to scientists.
Compiled from NASA
James Webb Space Telescope Captures “Penguin” and “Egg” Galaxies in Stunning Detail
To celebrate the second anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a concept image has been released showing two galaxies juxtaposed in a shape resembling a “penguin” and an “egg.” The image, captured by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instruments (MIRI), showcases the remarkable detail and beauty of these celestial objects.
NGC 2936 and NGC 2937: The “Penguin” and “Egg” Galaxies
The Penguin galaxy, officially called NGC 2936, and the Egg Galaxy, officially called NGC 2937, are collectively known as “Arp 12.” These galaxies have been previously photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope, but the new Webb image reveals them with unprecedented clarity.
The image highlights the ongoing interaction of these two galaxies, which are slowly merging into one. Astronomers observe that their gravitational pull causes them to sway and move closer, resembling a pair of dancing lovers.
The Penguin Galaxy: A Spiral in Transformation
The Penguin galaxy originally had a spiral shape, typical of most spiral galaxies. However, its interaction with the Egg galaxy has dramatically altered its appearance. The galaxy’s center has become the “eye” of the penguin, and its arms now form the shape of its beak, head, spine, and tail. The image shows newborn stars nestled within smoky material, a spectacle made possible by the gravitational pull exerted on the Penguin’s gas and dust, resulting in collisions and star formation.
The Egg Galaxy: A Stellar Ballet
The Egg Galaxy, being an elliptical galaxy, remains relatively unchanged throughout its dance with the Penguin galaxy. This is due to its composition: it consists primarily of older stars and has less gas and dust, which means less material for gravity to pull and form new stars. The Egg Galaxy, despite its compact shape, does not get swallowed or drastically distorted by the larger-appearing Penguin. Notably, both the Penguin and Egg galaxies have similar mass, explaining why the Egg Galaxy maintains its shape.
The Milky Way’s Galactic Dance
The Penguin and Egg galaxies are just one example of the constant dance and evolution occurring within the universe. Similar interactions are expected in our own Milky Way galaxy, which is destined to interact with the Andromeda galaxy in regarding 4 billion years.
More Than Just Penguins and Eggs
The image of Arp 12 also reveals a young galaxy called PGC 1237172, located in the upper right corner of the image. This galaxy is approximately 100 million light-years from Earth and is a subject of significant scientific interest.
Key Takeaways:
- The James Webb Space Telescope provides unparalleled detail and clarity in observing celestial objects.
- The interaction between the Penguin and Egg galaxies showcases the dynamic nature of the universe and intricate ways galaxies interact.
- The image highlights the processes of star formation and evolution, particularly in the Penguin galaxy’s transformation.
The “Penguin” and “Egg” image is a testament to the scientific capabilities and artistic beauty of the James Webb Space Telescope. It offers a window into the dynamic and wondrous universe, reminding us that the cosmos is constantly evolving and revealing its secrets through the lens of powerful telescopes.
**Credits:** NASA
