Stunning image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captures galaxies merging in cosmic collision
On Friday, to mark the second anniversary of operations of the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA released a breathtaking new cosmic image of two galaxies merging together.
The telescope, which launched on Dec. 25, 2021, has transformed the field of astronomy with stunning images that are helping researchers uncover some of the mysteries of the universe.
The James Webb Space Telescope is a collaborative effort between NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope, which orbits around the Earth, Webb orbits the sun at a distance of about 1 million miles away from Earth.
Webb has been observing potentially habitable planets since its deployment. NASA reported that it currently knows of around 30 planets that may be “small, rocky planets like Earth and that orbit in the habitable zone.”
Webb’s remarkable sensitivity allows it to detect and begin to characterize the atmospheres of several promising, potentially habitable planets orbiting cool stars, identifying crucial molecules for life like water vapor, methane and carbon dioxide.
“In just two years, Webb has transformed our view of the universe, enabling the kind of world-class science that drove NASA to make this mission a reality,” said Clampin. “Webb is…ushering in a new era of studying distant worlds, while returning images that inspire people around the world and posing exciting new questions to answer. It has never been more possible to explore every facet of the universe.”
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Source: cbsnews.com