James Webb Space Telescope Unveils New Details of Starburst Galaxy M82

The telescope's latest observations reveal intricate structures and processes fueling star formation in the galaxy located 12 million light-years away.

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have captured unprecedented images of the central starburst region of Messier 82, offering new insights into the galaxy's star formation.
The observations have uncovered fine structures in the galactic wind and similarities between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emission and ionized gas, challenging existing theories.
The galaxy, also known as the Cigar Galaxy, is forming stars at a rate 10 times faster than the Milky Way, driven by its compact and turbulent core.
Webb's near-infrared capabilities have allowed scientists to peer through dust and gas, revealing detailed structures and processes previously obscured.
The findings, which have been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, could provide a deeper understanding of star formation in starburst galaxies and their impact on the universe.