Barred Spiral Galaxy Messier 58 in Virgo | James Webb Space Telescope

Barred Spiral Galaxy Messier 58 in Virgo | James Webb Space Telescope

Webb captured this new image of galaxy Messier 58 (M58), in the near and mid-infrared, as part of a treasury of 55 massive, star-forming galaxies. The data on the properties of these galaxies, and the stars within them, will add valuable insight to our picture of how galaxies grow and evolve over cosmic time.

M58 is a barred spiral galaxy located about 68 million light years away from Earth and one of the brightest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Compared with other spiral galaxies, its core appears dim in visible light and contains a high rate of star formation, especially within a small and unusual ring around the nucleus of the galaxy. In the infrared, more details of this region emerge. Many spiral galaxies have bars across their centers. Bar structures are understood to channel material inward toward the galactic center, fueling star formation.

Messier 58 (also known as NGC 4579) is an intermediate barred spiral galaxy with a weak inner ring structure located within the constellation Virgo. It was discovered by Charles Messier on April 15, 1779.

Image Description: Webb’s image of M58 shows a face-on spiral galaxy anchored by its bright central region. It has a light blue haze that takes up about a quarter of the view. In this circular core is the brightest blue area. Spiral arms made of stars, gas, and dust also start at the center, starting at the brightest point. The spiral arms extend to the edges, rotating counterclockwise. The arms of the galaxy are largely orange, ranging from dark to bright orange.

Credit: NASA, CSA, ESA, and A. Leroy (The Ohio State University)
Image Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
Release Date: March 23, 2026

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