Infrared Universe: The Galactic 'Eyes' of IC 2163 & NGC 2207 | Webb & Hubble
NGC 2207 is a pair of colliding spiral galaxies. Their bright nuclei resemble a striking set of eyes. Though individual stars are too far apart to collide, the material between the stars merges to create high-density pockets of gas. These regions gravitationally collapse, triggering a firestorm of star birth. The galaxy collision will go on for several millions of years, leaving the galaxies’ shapes completely altered.
The human eye can only see visible light, but objects give off a variety of wavelengths of light. To see an object as it truly exists, we would ideally look at its appearance through the full range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Telescopes show us objects as they appear emitting distinct energies of light with each wavelength conveying unique information about the object. The Webb Space Telescope is studying infrared light from celestial objects with much greater clarity and sensitivity than ever before.
This video shows a pair of spiral galaxies, IC 2163 at left and NGC 2207 at right, that reside 114 million light-years from Earth. Both galaxies have increased star formation rates. Combined, they are estimated to form the equivalent of two dozen new stars that are the size of the Sun annually. Our Milky Way galaxy forms the equivalent of two or three new Sun-like stars per year.
Optical: Hubble data shows trails of stars and gas trace out spiral arms, stretched by the tidal pull between the galaxies.
Infrared: Spitzer data reveals the glow of warm dust; raw material for the creation of new stars and planets.
Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech
X-ray: Chandra view reveals areas of active star formation and the birth of super star clusters.
Credit: NASA, CXC, SAO, S. Mineo et al.
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