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[EN VIDÉO] Understand the James Webb Space Telescope mission in one minute The James Webb Space Telescope, a new flagship in space observation, will be launched on December 18 from Kourou, Guyana. After a journey of 29 days, it will reach the Lagrange point L2, in the opposite direction to the Sun. With its mirror larger than that of Hubble, of which it is considered the successor, the JWST will be able to observe galaxies, planets, nebulae and stars to learn more about the history of the Universe.
Less than a week ago, humanity discovered, amazed, the all first images of James-Webb, kick-off of his great scientific adventure. A few days later, it was the turn of Jupiter to be his target.
A new cosmic object, iconic to say the least and well known to astronomers amateurs has just been observed by the powerful telescope: M74 a.k.a Messier 74, also known as the Ghost Galaxy, and NGC 628.
A mirror galaxy
M74 is a magnificent spiral galaxy which is reminiscent of ours, the Milky Wayby its shape and dimensions (approximately 95,000 light years in diameter) which is located about 30 million light-years from Earth. Viewed entirely from above, it is regularly visited by the largest professional telescopes and researchers curious to learn more about what is happening inside and how it is changing.
The image produced by the cameras of James Webb (above) is once again stunning in the detail it offers us to see of the central part of this galaxy which has some 100 billion solar masses. Also looks like an illustration of a whirlwind psychedelic…
In reality, we discover the bare galaxy, a great whirlwind of gas and dust that forms “its skeleton”, with pockets of density and hollows where the matter seems to have been chased away, swept away. It is fascinating to discover with such a penetrating vision the foundations of a galaxy comparable to our own, its immense matrixes of stars where the next generations are preparing. We had never seen so much behind the scenes. Long live the sequel.
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