The Phantom Galaxy, formally known as M74, is a type of spiral galaxy known as a “grand spiral”. It has well-defined spiral arms, visible outward from the center in the newly released images.
The Webb telescope used its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to study the Phantom Galaxy as part of a project to understand the early stages of star formation, ESA noted.
While the Web is best at observing infrared wavelengths of light, Hubble has a particularly sharp view in the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths, the agency said. This allowed phantom galaxy images to reveal particularly bright regions of star formation known as HII regions.
The combination of data from the two telescopes allowed scientists to gain an even deeper understanding of the Phantom Galaxy — and create spectacular images of the universe.
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