New images of the spiral galaxy IC 5332 have been acquired by the two space telescope heavyweights, Hubble and JWST. JWST is able to expose the galaxy’s deeper, glowing gas structure, which is like peering into another dimension. Hubble’s image displays the galaxy’s exquisitely luminous swirling arms.
Only 29 million light-years separate us from IC 5332, a spiral galaxy with a diameter of about 66,000 light-years. The galaxy looks to be exquisitely symmetrical as seen from Earth, with arms of galaxies softly arcing into a circular form.
JWST just made available a photograph of IC 5332 that was taken using the instrument’s onboard mid-infrared camera (MIRI). The feature below allows you to swipe back and forth between the two photos, with JWST’s image on the right and Hubble’s image on the left.
The mid-infrared area of the electromagnetic spectrum, as its name implies, is particularly difficult to see from Earth due to our own heat production and protective atmosphere.
It enables the equipment to efficiently see through its dust clouds by observing the mid-infrared. In contrast to infrared radiation, which is very weakly dispersed by interstellar dust, Hubble’s image captures ultraviolet and visible light.
As a result, the darker areas between the galaxy arms are where the dusty regions in the Hubble image may be located. We can see through the hazy areas in JWST’s image and make out its incredibly complex structure.
Due to the fact that some stars light stronger in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectrums than others, each image also depicts different stars from the others.
Interestingly, MIRI operates at a freezing temperature of 266°C (446.8°F), which is around 33°C (59.4°F) below the rest of the observatory and almost as cold as the lowest temperature permitted by the rules of thermodynamics.
JWST was ultimately launched into space on Christmas Day 2021 after numerous years of delays. It is the most potent and expensive telescope ever created by humans, and is commanded by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Despite the fact that it has only recently reached full operational capacity, it has already sent some absolutely astounding (and scientifically significant) insights into our universe. It has been able to image some of our well-known planetary neighbors in the solar system, including Jupiter and Mars, in addition to capturing nebula and exoplanets.
