Behold the Cartwheel Galaxy! NASA showcases another dazzling James Webb image

Peering into the 'chaos' of the Cartwheel Galaxy

The new image highlights the Cartwheel Galaxy and two smaller galaxies. It’s worth noting though that, much like in James Webb’s historic first image, all those smaller objects in the background are also galaxies.

Since it started science operations, NASA has released a steady stream of new James Webb data, including the observatory's first observation of a supernova. Now, NASA says its new images of the Cartwheel Galaxy provide unprecedented insight into the evolution of that particular region of space. The Galaxy is located approximately 500 million light-years away in the Sculptor constellation.

As NASA explains in its blog post, the galaxy's resemblance to a wagon wheel is the result of an ancient collision between itself and a smaller galaxy. Essentially, that means we're seeing the result of a massive galactic merger. According to NASA, “the Cartwheel Galaxy sports two rings — a bright inner ring and a surrounding, colorful ring. These two rings expand outwards from the center of the collision, like ripples in a pond after a stone is tossed into it.” This “ring galaxy” type, with its unique features, is much rarer than spiral galaxies like the Milky Way.

James Webb versus Hubble comparison

As with other images taken by James Webb, a side-by-side comparison with older Hubble images highlights the new detail Webb uncovers. James Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) has a unique ability to peer through the cosmic dust that hides much of the detail in Hubble’s earlier image.

NASA explains that the outer ring of the Cartwheel Galaxy, which has expanded for approximately 440 million years, is dominated by star formation and supernovas. That’s because, as the ring expands, it interacts with surrounding gas to trigger star formation. Webb’s NIRCam reveals these evolving areas in impressive new detail. This, according to the U.S. space agency, means that the new image reveals the galaxy’s history while also indicating how it will continue to evolve in the future. Stay posted for more new updates on James Webb, which will continue to reveal precious new insight into the evolution of galaxies and the early universe in the coming months and years.