Webb Telescope Reveals Breathtaking View of Whirlpool Galaxy

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The M51 galaxy, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in stunning detail. This image is one of the most detailed views of the galaxy ever taken, showcasing its beautiful spiral shape and intricate structures.

Key Facts:

Name: M51 or Whirlpool Galaxy

Location: About 23 million light-years away from Earth, in the constellation Canes Venatici.

Type: Spiral galaxy, known for its distinct spiral arms.

Size: Roughly 100,000 light-years in diameter, similar to our own Milky Way galaxy.

Discovery: First observed by the French astronomer Charles Messier in 1773.

Features:

The spiral arms are rich in gas and dust, which are the building blocks for new stars. These arms appear especially bright in the infrared light captured by Webb, showing the birthplaces of stars.

The smaller galaxy interacting with M51 (often called the "companion galaxy") is visible near the center. The gravitational pull between the two galaxies is causing tidal interactions, which contribute to the dramatic shape of the Whirlpool.

What Makes Webb’s Image Special:

The Webb telescope can see in infrared light, which allows it to capture clearer images of distant galaxies and their hidden features, such as star-forming regions and dust clouds.

The image shows not just the visible structure of M51, but also reveals a lot of unseen details about its stars, gas, and dust, which are hidden from normal optical telescopes.

Simple Explanation: The M51 galaxy, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, is a beautiful spiral galaxy 23 million light-years away. Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, we now have an incredibly detailed image of it. Webb's ability to capture infrared light has revealed stunning features like star-forming regions and intricate dust structures. The galaxy is interacting with a smaller neighbor, which makes the whole system even more fascinating.