The James Webb Telescope has captured an image of a galaxy merger that has left viewers in awe. The image, which shows a pair of actively forming stars, also features a distinctive “question mark” shape.
The question mark shape is likely caused by the gravitational interaction between the two merging galaxies. As the galaxies collide, their stars and gas are pulled together, creating a distorted shape.
The image has sparked a lot of speculation about the nature of the question mark shape. Some have suggested that it could be a sign of alien life, while others believe it is simply a natural phenomenon.
However, scientists believe that the most likely explanation is that the question mark shape is simply a projection effect. As the light from the galaxies travels to Earth, it is bent by the gravity of the Milky Way galaxy. This bending of light can create the illusion of a question mark shape.
Regardless of its origin, the question mark shape is a stunning reminder of the power of the James Webb Telescope. The telescope is capable of capturing images of objects that are billions of light-years away, and it is helping us to better understand the evolution of galaxies.
Here are some additional details about the image:
- The two merging galaxies are located about 1,470 light-years away.
- The stars in the image are only a few thousand years old.
- The image was taken using the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) on the James Webb Telescope.
- The image has been nicknamed the “Cosmic Question Mark.”
The James Webb Telescope is a powerful new tool that is helping us to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. The image of the galaxy merger is just one example of the amazing things that the telescope is capable of.
