Free Astronomy Magazine July-August 2024

JULY-AUGUST 2024 attaining a closer look at the physi- cal conditions that foster the forma- tion of new stars. “M82 has garnered a variety of ob- servations over the years because it can be considered as the prototypi- cal starburst galaxy,” said Bolatto, lead author of the study. “Both NASA’s Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes have observed this tar- get. With Webb’s size and resolu- tion, we can look at this star-form- ing galaxy and see all of this beau- tiful, new detail.” Star formation continues to main- tain a sense of mystery because it is shrouded by curtains of dust and gas, creating an obstacle in observ- ing this process. Fortunately, Webb’s ability to peer in the infrared is an asset in navigating these murky con- ditions. Additionally, these NIRCam images of the very center of the starburst were obtained using an in- strument mode that prevented the very bright source from overwhelm- ing the detector. While dark brown tendrils of heavy dust are threaded throughout M82’s glowing white core even in this in- frared view, Webb’s NIRCam has re- vealed a level of detail that has Webb probes an extreme starburst galaxy A team of astronomers has used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to survey the starburst galaxy Messier 82 (M82). Located 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Ma- jor, this galaxy is relatively compact in size but hosts a frenzy of star formation activity. For comparison, M82 is sprouting new stars 10 times faster than the Milky Way galaxy. Led by Alberto Bolatto at the Uni- versity of Maryland, College Park, the team directed Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument toward the starburst galaxy’s center, by NASA/ESA/CSA − Abigail Major & Christine Pulliam