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NASA has released a striking new image from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), marking the observatory’s second anniversary. Taken on July 12, 2024, the photograph shows two galaxies in the process of merging, officially known as ARP 142 and nicknamed “the Penguin” and “the Egg” for their shapes.
Captured in unprecedented detail, the image reveals how gravity is slowly pulling the galaxies together, setting the stage for them to combine into a single, larger galaxy.
The Penguin, cataloged as NGC 2936, is a warped former spiral galaxy now stretched into an arc-like form. The Egg, NGC 2937, is a rounder, compact galaxy seen to the left of the frame. JWST’s infrared observations show the pair locked in a slow gravitational interaction about 100,000 light-years apart. Over time, their mutual pull is drawing them closer, compressing clouds of dust and gas, and igniting bursts of new star formation.
The image was shared by NASA on X as part of celebrations marking two years since JWST began delivering scientific data. The telescope, launched in December 2021, is the largest and most powerful space observatory in operation. While the Hubble Space Telescope observes mainly in visible and ultraviolet light, JWST specializes in the infrared spectrum. This allows it to see through thick clouds of cosmic dust, revealing objects that are too faint or obscured for other instruments.
According to NASA, this capability is key to studying galaxy mergers like ARP 142. Infrared imaging can expose the dense, dust-covered regions where stars are forming, helping astronomers understand how such interactions shape galaxies over billions of years. The Penguin and Egg are currently in an early stage of their merger, but simulations suggest they will eventually combine into one elliptical galaxy.
JWST’s anniversary image not only highlights its scientific power but also underscores its mission: to deliver sharper, deeper, and more revealing views of the universe than ever before. More images from its second year of operation are expected to be released in the coming months, offering further insight into the origins and evolution of galaxies.
