May 26, 2023
Chandra and JWST Join Forces in a Stunning Series of Images
New images that combine data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) JWST have just been released! The images feature four iconic astronomical objects, showcasing the capabilities of these observatories by combining light in the visible, infrared, and X-ray wavelengths. These include the NGC 346 star cluster located in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), the NGC 1672 spiral galaxy, the Eagle Nebula (Messier 16, or M16), and the spiral galaxy Messier 74 (aka. the Phantom Galaxy). These objects were made famous by the venerable Hubble Space Telescope, which took pictures of them between 1995 and 2005. Since it commenced operations, the JWST has conducted follow-up observations that provided a sharper view of these objects that captured additional features. Hubble and the JWST even teamed up to provide a multi-wavelength view of the Phantom Galaxy last year. By adding Chandra’s famed X-ray imaging capabilities to Webb’s sensitivity and infrared light, these latest images provide a new glimpse of these objects, revealing both faint and more energetic and powerful features. The JWST has provided us with the most detailed and breathtaking images of the Universe to date. This is to the observatory’s 6.5-meter (21 feet 4 inches) primary mirror (made up of gold-plated beryllium plates) and its sensitive infrared instruments, capable of imaging objects in the near-, mid-, and far-infrared (NIR, MIR, and FIR). Its revolutionary sunshield also keeps the observatory at cryogenic temperatures, ensuring it does not suffer from solar interference. Alas, there are some wavelengths the JWST can’t visualize, which prevents it from capturing certain celestial phenomena. Credit: NASA/ESA/STScI, ESO (optical); NASA/ESA/CSA/JPL/STScI (IR); NASA/CXC/SAO/ESA/XMM-Newton (X-ray); Image Processing: L. Frattare, J. Major, N. Wolk, and K. Arcand Chandra is one of NASA’s four “Great Observatories,” which includes Hubble, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. It was deployed in 1999 and has been collecting data on X-ray sources ever since. Data from these and other observatories were also used, including optical data from Hubble and the European Southern Observatory’s New Technology Telescope (TNT), additional infrared data from Spitzer, and additional X-ray data from European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton mission. These are represented in different colors, and each object is presented in individual wavelengths and as a composite data product. The combination of visible and non-visible light and side-by-side comparisons allow many fine details to be resolved. The full list of images can be found on the NASA Chandra mission website. NGC 346 The four renderings of NGC 346 (posted above) show the cluster in terms of composite data (top left), infrared data (top right), X-ray data (lower left), and infrared, optical, and X-ray data (lower right). This star cluster is located in the SMC outside the Milky Way, roughly 210,000 light-years distant in the constellation Tucana. Different wavelengths are represented in purple (X-ray), red, green, and blue (optical), and red, orange (infrared). The Webb data reveals plumes and clouds of gas and dust, the material that will fuel the formation of new stars. These appear as a thick orange cloud running from the cluster’s lower left to the upper right, with a similar patch found near the upper left. The Chandra data reveals the remains of a supernova from a massive star (the purple cloud on the left) and several young, hot, and massive stars (purple specks). Between the gas plumes, the cluster is densely packed with massive stars (white and blue), while a particularly young and massive star (the bright dot in the purple cloud) is shown blowing powerful winds outwards. Credit: NASA/ESA/STScI, ESO (optical); NASA/ESA/CSA/JPL/CalTech/STScI (IR); NASA/CXC/SAO/ESA/XMM-Newton (X-ray); Image Processing: L. Frattare, J. Major, N. Wolk, and K. Arcand A patch of smaller young stars and their powerful stellar winds can be seen in the center of the image, represented by small dots surrounded by a faint purple mist. NGC 1672 NGC 1672 is an example of a “barred” spiral galaxy, where the spiral arms extend from either side of a central bar-shaped structure. It is located about 5.7 million light-years away in the constellation Dorado. Chandra data also revealed compact objects like neutron stars and black holes, with a large purple cloud at the center indicating the presence of a supermassive black hole (SMBH). Other X-ray sources are peppered throughout the spiral arms, likely stellar remnants, dust clouds, and maybe some intermediate black holes. Optical data from Hubble reveals the cloudy nature of the arms, which are dotted by bright white and purple stars of varying sizes. It also reveals the large clouds of gas, dust, and the many stars surrounding the central bar. The Webb data helps resolve the densest concentrations of gas and dust in these arms and the large concentration around the center. The central region is bright and pinkish, surrounded by a murky silver cloud of material, indicating a diverse population of stars and lots of light absorption. M16 (Eagle Nebula) Messier 16, also known as the Eagle Nebula, is a particularly famous object because of the iconic pictures of the “Pillars of Creation” – the tall columns of turbulent gas and dust that look remarkably like fingers reaching outward. This feature was imaged by Webb and Chandra alone, combining high-resolution data in the infrared and X-ray data. The Webb image shows the dark columns of gas and dust emerging from the bottom edge and stretching toward our upper right. These are backed by a dark orange mist, indicating clouds of diffuse gas and dust that shine in the mid-infrared. Credit: X-ray: Chandra: NASA/CXC/SAO, XMM: ESA/XMM-Newton; IR: JWST: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI, Spitzer: NASA/JPL/CalTech; Optical: Hubble: NASA/ESA/STScI, ESO; Image Processing: L. Frattare, J. Major, N. Wolk, and K. Arcand The Chandra data reveals young, massive stars that recently formed, which appear as pink and purple dots because of their powerful X-ray emissions. In the combined image, these young stars look like fireflies flitting around the sky in front of a setting sun, the Pillars appearing as billowing clouds. M74 (Phantom Galaxy) Messier 74 is a spiral galaxy (similar to the Milky Way) located about 32 million light-years distant in the constellation Pisces. This galaxy is particularly interesting to astronomers because of its relative proximity and the fact that it is visible face-on to observatories on Earth (or in orbit around it). Messier 74 is also dimmer than other galaxies in the Messier Catalog, making it harder to resolve with small telescopes. When viewed by powerful telescopes in the optical and non-visible wavelengths, the massively detailed and complex structure of the galaxy emerges. Hubble optical data already manages to highlight the galaxy’s spiral arms, its bright core, the distribution of stars (purple, white, and orange, corresponding to their size and age), and the dust lanes and gas clouds throughout. Still, the Webb data outlines the gas and dust, which appear as silvery-blue arms in infrared wavelengths. This reveals the swirling web-like structure within the spiral arms, while Chandra’s X-ray data highlights the high-energy activity from particularly young and massive stars. Credit: X-ray: Chandra: NASA/CXC/SAO, XMM: ESA/XMM-Newton; IR: JWST: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI, Spitzer: NASA/JPL/CalTech; Optical: Hubble: NASA/ESA/STScI, ESO; Image Processing: L. Frattare, J. Major, N. Wolk, and K. Arcand These images are another reminder of the capabilities of the JWST, the most powerful and complex observatory ever sent to space. They also showcase the benefit of combining data from different observatories optimized to study the cosmos in different wavelengths. They’re also symbolic in a way. For decades, NASA’s “Great Observatories” combined data to reveal more about the Universe. Combining Webb’s advanced infrared imaging with data provided by these veteran observatories is like a “passing of the torch.” In the coming years, the JWST and other next-generation observatories – like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope – will combine their respective abilities to discover more exoplanets, characterize their atmospheres, observe the earliest galaxies in the Universe, and test the laws of physics in the most stringent ways. Further Reading: Chandra The post Chandra and JWST Join Forces in a Stunning Series of Images appeared first on Universe Today.
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Watch It
Ruby Franke’s Husband REVEALS Alleged Rules He Had to Follow at Home | E! News
March 28, 2024
_mU-3lE2QwI
#KenanThompson speaks out following the #QuietonSet documentary. (🎥: Tamron Hall Show) #shorts
March 28, 2024
8AGP-Gfw_Ek
King Charles Shares "Great Sadness" at Missing Royal Appearance | E! News
March 28, 2024
lyizFqf1kQY
Martha Reeves Walk of Fame Ceremony
March 27, 2024
QzyezumEPtQ
Eminem, 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg Present Dr. Dre with a Star on the Walk of Fame
March 19, 2024
4bNLs1hxVp8
Opening Remarks for the Variety Summit October 20th, 2023 Jay Penske
March 18, 2024
c6Z707iLq8E
Montell Jordan Dishes On Young MC Wedding, 'This Is How Date Night' Plans | TMZ
March 28, 2024
G3SMExj-qio
Davina Potratz Says TV Not Helping 'Selling Sunset' Relationship Woes | TMZ
March 28, 2024
D4piy4GNm4k
Logan Paul Rips Graham Bensinger Over Documentary, You Promised Apple TV+ | TMZ Live
March 28, 2024
NiSDpZhZklQ
Prince William pinned royal medal to Spice Girl Mel B’s boobs #shorts
March 28, 2024
O1cQ0UW9pco
Jennifer Garner shares ‘hard’ part of raising her and Ben Affleck’s kids
March 28, 2024
3Q7mZaVUdgc
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy named as an alleged sex worker in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs lawsuit #shorts
March 28, 2024
yhLFI8DG9rM
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
28
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
PSG W - Hacken W
28
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Barcelona W - SK Brann W
27
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Chelsea W - Ajax W
27
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Lyon W - SL Benfica W
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.