On the second anniversary of the James Webb Telescope’s launch, NASA and its European and Canadian partners have unveiled a breathtaking new image of the Penguin and Egg galaxies, collectively known as Arp 142, located a staggering 326 million light-years from Earth.
The galaxies interacted between 25 and 75 million years ago, triggering the formation of new stars at an astonishing rate of 100 to 200 per year in the Penguin galaxy, which takes center stage in this image. In contrast, the Milky Way’s annual star production stands at between six and seven new stars. The visual representation of this cosmic interaction is captured by a faintly glowing upside-down “U” shape, a phenomenon that would be impossible for a smaller galaxy.
Interestingly, although the Penguin galaxy appears larger than the Egg at its left, both galaxies share a similar mass, suggesting that if one were smaller, they would have already merged by now. The background of the image, not limited to the foreground galaxies, displays a multitude of distant galaxies, a testament to the exceptional sensitivity and resolution of the James Webb Telescope’s infrared cameras.
With the James Webb Telescope experiencing a tumultuous launch in 2021, following more than a decade of delays caused by budget concerns and technical issues, the image release commemorates the agency’s resilience and dedication. Additionally, the space agencies have previously unveiled the telescope’s first captured image and a nearby stellar nursery, showcasing the profound impact of this celestial marvel on humanity’s understanding of the universe.
