Pan of Interacting Galaxies Arp 107 in Leo Minor | James Webb Space Telescope

Pan of Interacting Galaxies Arp 107 in Leo Minor | James Webb Space Telescope

This composite image of Arp 107, created with data from the James Webb Space Telescope’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) reveal a wealth of information about the star-formation and how these two galaxies collided hundreds of million years ago. This collision started a new wave of star formation. Although there was star formation occurring before, collisions between galaxies can compress gas, improving the conditions needed for more stars to form. On the other hand, as Webb reveals, collisions also disperse a lot of gas, potentially depriving new stars of the material they need to form. 

An interaction between an elliptical galaxy and a spiral galaxy, collectively known as Arp 107, seems to have given the spiral a happier outlook thanks to the two bright “eyes” and the wide semicircular “smile.” Arp 107 is located 465 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo Minor.

Webb has captured these galaxies in the process of merging. This will take hundreds of millions of years. As the two galaxies rebuild after the chaos of their collision, Arp 107 may lose its smile, but it will inevitably turn into something just as interesting for future astronomers to study.

The near-infrared data, shown in white, shows older stars, shining brightly in both galaxies, as well as the tenuous bridge of gas and stars that runs between them. The vibrant background galaxies are also well illuminated in this wavelength.

On the other hand, MIRI data shows the young stars and star-forming regions in vibrant orange and red. Our view in the mid-infrared provides the best view of the collision point, given the noticeable gap at the top of the spiral galaxy.

Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, N. Bartmann (ESA/Webb)

Duration: 30 seconds

Release Date: Sept. 18, 2024

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