Experience the mesmerizing beauty of spiral galaxy M83 through the lens of the revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Delve into the depths of the universe as the spaceborne observatory, equipped with its powerful infrared device, the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), unveils this captivating image.
Known as NGC 5236, M83 is a barred spiral galaxy situated approximately 15 million light-years away. Astronomers find this galaxy particularly fascinating as they strive to unravel the mysteries of star formation. To aid in their quest, they rely on the James Webb Space Telescope’s MIRI, which observes the universe using infrared wavelengths spanning from 5,000 to 28,000 nanometers. (For reference, visible light, perceivable to the human eye, consists of wavelengths between 380 and 750 nanometers.)
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In this extraordinary image, vibrant blue regions at the center of M83 signify areas densely populated with stars. The luminous yellow tendrils extending outward represent stellar nurseries, where massive clusters of newborn stars actively form. The striking orange-red splashes denote regions abundant in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon-based compounds excellently detected by MIRI’s wavelengths.
Astronomers directed MIRI towards M83 as part of the Feedback in Emerging extragalactic Star clusters (FEAST) program. FEAST aims to comprehend the intricate relationship between star formation and stellar feedback within galaxies. Stellar feedback refers to the process by which stars expel matter and energy during their formation.
By expanding their knowledge of this intricate relationship, astronomers can refine their models and decode the mechanisms behind star birth and growth. FEAST encompasses observations of a total of six galaxies, including the previous focus of JWST, M51.
