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11h ago

Webb’s 100-Hour Infrared Stare Uncovers 2,500 Galaxies in Hubble Ultra Deep Field

Mid-infrared observations with MIRI paired with NIRCam exposures drove this record depth to expose hundreds of dust-shrouded galaxies.

An area of deep space with thousands of galaxies in various shapes and sizes on a black background. Credit: ESA/NASA/CSA/the JADES Collaboration
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This Webb/NIRCam image shows NGC 6072, a planetary nebula approximately 4,048 light-years away in the constellation of Scorpius. Image credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI.
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Overview

  • Webb dedicated almost 100 hours to a mid-infrared observation of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, marking its longest extragalactic exposure.
  • Analysis of MIRI imaging alongside NIRCam data revealed over 2,500 distinct cosmic sources in this tiny sky patch.
  • Hundreds of the detected galaxies appear extremely red, indicating heavy dust obscuration or mature stellar populations.
  • Webb’s sharp resolution and sensitivity have resolved fine structures in many distant galaxies for the first time.
  • These observations will refine models of galaxy assembly and sharpen constraints on dark matter distribution and dark energy influence.