Published , Modified Abstract on NASA's Webb Space Telescope Peers Behind Bars Original source
NASA's Webb Space Telescope Peers Behind Bars
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever built. It is set to launch in 2021 and will be used to study the universe's first galaxies, stars, and planets. Recently, NASA's Webb Space Telescope has been used to peer behind bars, providing new insights into the structure of galaxies.
Introduction
The JWST is a joint project between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It is designed to be the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, which has been in operation since 1990. The JWST is much larger than Hubble and will be able to observe objects that are much farther away.
The Science Behind Peering Behind Bars
One of the main goals of the JWST is to study the formation of galaxies. Galaxies are made up of billions of stars, gas, and dust. The stars in a galaxy are held together by gravity, and they orbit around a central point called a galactic center. The gas and dust in a galaxy are also held together by gravity and can form new stars.
However, not all galaxies are the same. Some galaxies have a bar-like structure in their center. These bars are made up of stars that orbit around the galactic center in a bar-like shape. The bars can affect how gas and dust move within a galaxy, which can impact star formation.
What Did NASA Find?
Using the JWST, NASA was able to peer behind bars in two nearby galaxies: NGC 4303 and NGC 3351. They found that these galaxies have different structures than previously thought.
NGC 4303 has a bar-like structure that is about 7,000 light-years long. The JWST was able to see through the dust that surrounds this galaxy's center and observe the stars that make up the bar. They found that the stars in the bar are older than previously thought, which suggests that the bar formed earlier in the galaxy's history.
NGC 3351 also has a bar-like structure, but it is much shorter than NGC 4303's bar. The JWST was able to observe the gas and dust within this galaxy and found that it is moving in a way that is consistent with the presence of a bar.
What Does This Mean for Our Understanding of Galaxies?
These new observations provide important insights into how galaxies form and evolve over time. By studying the structure of galaxies with bars, scientists can better understand how gas and dust move within galaxies and how this impacts star formation.
The JWST will continue to study galaxies with bars and other structures, providing new insights into the universe's evolution.
Conclusion
NASA's Webb Space Telescope has provided new insights into the structure of galaxies with bars. By peering behind these bars, scientists have been able to observe stars, gas, and dust in ways that were not possible before. These observations will help us better understand how galaxies form and evolve over time.
FAQs
1. What is the James Webb Space Telescope?
The James Webb Space Telescope is a joint project between NASA, ESA, and CSA. It is designed to be the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope and will be used to study the universe's first galaxies, stars, and planets.
2. What are bars in galaxies?
Bars are structures in some galaxies that are made up of stars that orbit around the galactic center in a bar-like shape. They can affect how gas and dust move within a galaxy, which can impact star formation.
3. What did NASA find when they peered behind bars using the JWST?
NASA was able to observe stars, gas, and dust in two nearby galaxies with bars: NGC 4303 and NGC 3351. They found that these galaxies have different structures than previously thought, providing new insights into how galaxies form and evolve over time.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.