Ring around the galaxy… Here’s Webb’s stunning new mid-infrared image of M104.
This bright core of the galaxy is dim in this view (the first slide), revealing a smooth inner disk as well as details of how the clumpy gas in the outer ring is distributed. Dust is one of the universe’s essential building blocks, and often where star formation is found in galaxies. Though this particular galaxy is not a particular hotbed of star formation, it does contain lots of stars for scientists to study, especially tight groupings called globular clusters.
Also known as the Sombrero galaxy, M104 looks a bit more hat-like in Hubble’s visible-light image, which showcases its prominent glowing core. (link to Hubble image)
Read more:
go.nasa.gov/4eQ4key
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
Image description: Image of a galaxy on the black background of space. The galaxy is a very oblong, blue disk that extends from left to right at an angle (from about 10 o’clock to 5 o’clock). The galaxy has a small bright core at the center. There is an inner disk that is clearer, with speckles of stars scattered throughout. The outer disk of the galaxy is whiteish-blue, and clumpy, like clouds in the sky. There are different colored dots, distant galaxies, speckled among the black background of space surrounding the galaxy.
