American Space Agency, NASA, released new image of Whirlpool galaxy taken by its James Webb telescope with new details and information. The vibrant image is considered as the clearest ever image of the galaxy, also named as NGC 5194.
It brilliantly captures its relationship with its neighbouring dwarf galaxy named NGC 5195.
“The gravitational influence of M51’s smaller companion is thought to be partially responsible for the stately nature of the galaxy’s prominent and distinct spiral arms,” the European Space Agency said in a statement about the visual.
In this image, the dark red regions trace the filamentary warm dust passing through the medium of the galaxy. The red regions in the galaxy gets their colour from complex molecules forming on dust grains. Whereas, colours of orange and yellow reveal the regions of ionised gas by the recently formed star clusters. Stellar feedback also brings a dramatic effect on the medium of the galaxy and create complex network of bright knots as well as cavernous black bubbles.
About the Whirlpool Galaxy
It is originally named as M51, aka Whirlpool Galaxy. It lies about 27 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is trapped in a tumultuous relationship with its near neighbour, the dwarf galaxy NGC 5195. Its distinct spiral arms are the result of the gravitational influence of M51’s smaller companion.
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Updated: 31 Aug 2023, 09:07 AM IST