Star Formation in Cluster’s Dusty Ribbons: NGC 346 | James Webb Space Telescope

Star Formation in Cluster’s Dusty Ribbons: NGC 346 | James Webb Space Telescope

This image features NGC 346, one of the most dynamic star-forming regions in nearby galaxies, as seen by the NASA/European Space Agency/Canadian Space Agency James Webb Space Telescope.

NCG 346 is located in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), a dwarf galaxy close to our Milky Way. 

Image Description: A star forming region sweeps across the scene, dominated by hues of purple. Tones of yellow outline the region's irregular shape. Many bright stars dominate the scne, as well as countless smaller stars the scatter the image's background.

As stars form, they gather gas and dust, which can look like ribbons in Webb imagery, from the surrounding molecular cloud. The material collects into an accretion disc that feeds the central protostar. Astronomers have detected gas around protostars within NGC 346, but Webb’s near-infrared observations mark the first time they have also detected dust in these discs.

The James Webb Space Telescope is an international partnership between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, A. Pagan (STScI)

Release Date: Jan. 11, 2023

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