Return of Space Phantom: James Webb takes a new image of galaxy M74

To celebrate the launch of the James Webb Telescope (JWST) in 2022, NASA and ESA published a stunning image of the galaxy M74, also known as the Phantom Galaxy. Now the space observatory has returned to the object again, collecting new data about it.

Galaxy M74 in the James Webb telescope image. Source: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Adamo (Stockholm University) and the FEAST JWST team

The Phantom Galaxy is 32 million light-years away from the Milky Way toward the constellation Pisces. Its relative proximity, good location (it is turned “facing” the Earth) and clear, highly visible spiral structure make it an ideal object for astronomical observations. It was photographed by Hubble several times in the past, and after the launch of JWST, it became one of its first targets.

Now JWST has revisited the Phantom Galaxy. Its new image was obtained with two cameras on board JWST: the near-infrared NIRCam instrument and the mid-infrared MIRI instrument. It allows us to see filaments of warm dust permeating the galaxy. The dark red regions correspond to light refracted from dust grains, while the orange and yellow colors show regions of gas ionized by recently formed star clusters. 

Stellar feedback has a strong influence on the environment inside the galaxy, creating a complex network of bright nodes as well as black cavities. The absence of gas in the central region of this galaxy also makes it possible to observe the star cluster within it without interference. M74 belongs to a special class of spiral galaxies known as grand-design galaxies. Such objects are characterized by the presence of powerful, pronounced and well-shaped arms that clearly emanate from their center. About 10% of all spiral galaxies are thought to be of this type.

Previous image of galaxy M74 from the James Webb telescope. Source: NASA

M74 was observed by JWST as part of a project to study stellar feedback. This term is used by astronomy to describe the effect of the radiation of newborn luminaries on the medium from which they formed. This process has a significant impact on the rate of star formation and understanding it is important for astronomers studying the evolution of galaxies.

The data obtained by JWST gave scientists a chance to look at stellar nurseries in galaxies many millions of light-years away from us. They found that newborn luminaries slowly “carve out” the gas-dust clouds around them, essentially destroying them. In addition, as a result of their research, the team concluded that spiral arms are the places where stars form most actively.

Earlier we told you about how the James Webb Telescope managed to photograph newborn brown dwarfs.

Provided by Esawebb