Tuesday, August 2, 2022

ESO 350-40, PGC 2248, AM0035-335 - Cartwheel Galaxy

ESO 350-40, PGC 2248, AM0035-335 - Cartwheel Galaxy (NIRCam and MIRI Composite Image) - A large galaxy on the right, with two much smaller companion galaxies to the left at 10 o’clock and 9 o’clock. The large galaxy resembles a speckled wheel, with an oval outer ring and a small, off-center inner ring. The outer ring contains pink plumes like wheel spokes, with dusty blue regions in between. The pink areas are silicate dust, while the blue areas are pockets of young stars and hydrocarbon dust. The inner ring is smoother, filled in with a more uniform pale pink. This smaller ring is interwoven with thin, orange-pink threads. On the galaxy's right edge, a bright white star with 8 diffraction spikes shines. The two companion galaxies to the left, one above the other, are about the same size and both spiral galaxies. The galaxy above is a reverse S shape but similar in coloring and texture as the large ring galaxy. The galaxy below is smoother and largely white, with a blue tinge.
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI, Webb ERO Production Team

ESO 350-40, PGC 2248, AM0035-335 - Cartwheel Galaxy (near-infrared only) - Three interacting galaxies, in shades of blue. The rightmost galaxy, which is the largest, resembles a wheel with a central hub and spokes. It contains a large, oval outer ring, and a small, off-center oval ring. The rings and the space between them is filled with blue plumes and dots. The two on the left are around the same size, but smaller than the rightmost galaxy. The galaxy to the top left has many of the same features as the largest galaxy, but its shape is far more disturbed with no distinct rings, and has a few red dots. The last galaxy, below the top left galaxy, contains a blue-white core, and has a smooth texture and a distinct spiral pattern. The background of these galaxies is full of distant, orange stars and galaxies with various shapes.
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team

ESO 350-40, PGC 2248, AM0035-335 - Cartwheel Galaxy (MIRI Image)
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team

Hubble visible light → JWST infrared

Manual slider comparing the Cartwheel Galaxy in near- and mid-infrared wavelengths through the eyes of Webb's NIRCam and MIRI instruments.


Credit