The Cartwheel Galaxy from Webb
Explanation:
To some, it looks like a wheel of a cart.
In fact, because of its outward appearance, the presence of a central
galaxy, and its connection with what looks like the spokes of a wheel,
the galaxy on the right is known as the
Cartwheel Galaxy.
To others, however, it looks like a
complicated interaction between galaxies awaiting explanation.
Along with the two galaxies on the left,
the Cartwheel is part of a
group of galaxies
about 500 million light years away in the
constellation Sculptor.
The large galaxy's rim spans over 100,000
light years and is composed of star
forming regions filled with extremely bright and massive stars.
The Cartwheel's ring-like shape is the result of
gravitational disruption caused by a smaller galaxy passing through a large one,
compressing the interstellar gas and dust and causing a
star formation wave to move out like a
ripple across the surface of a pond.
The featured recent image of the
Cartwheel Galaxy by the
Webb Space Telescope reveals
new details not only
about where stars are forming, but also about activity near the galaxy's
central black hole.
Teachers & Students:
Ideas for utilizing APOD in the classroom
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
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GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.