Hubble and Webb Join Forces to Study Galactic Evolution
Astronomers have unveiled a detailed view of star-forming regions in the iconic spiral galaxy Messier 51 (Whirlpool), located 27 million light-years away. Through the synergy of the Hubble and Webb telescopes, scientists were able to track the life cycle of nearly 9,000 star clusters.
Stellar Feedback
Stars are born within dense clouds of gas that collapse under gravity. However, as new stars emerge, they generate powerful stellar winds, intense ultraviolet radiation, and supernova explosions. This process, known as stellar feedback, disperses the remaining gas and prevents further star formation. The FEAST observing programme revealed that the most massive clusters clear away their "gaseous shrouds" the fastest, beginning to light up the galaxy earlier than others.
Image Anatomy
A detailed fragment of one of M51's spiral arms captures a complex spanning 800 light-years:
- Red and Orange: Infrared emission from ionized gas, cosmic dust, and complex organic molecules (PAHs).
- Cyan Glow: The result of powerful radiation from young stars impacting the surrounding clouds.
The Power of Two Telescopes
The Webb telescope is capable of "peering" inside dust clouds to see hidden star cluster embryos. At the same time, Hubble captures fully formed clusters in visible light. By combining these data, astronomers could estimate the mass and age of each of the 9,000 studied objects.
Source: ESA/Webb News
Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Pedrini, A. Adamo and the FEAST JWST team
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