The James Webb Space Telescope recently captured a stunning image of the dwarf irregular galaxy I Zwicky 18, providing valuable insight into its unique characteristics and star formation history. Located 59 million light-years away from Earth, this galaxy is smaller and less structured than our own Milky Way.
The image revealed two distinct lobes filled with white and blue stars, representing different periods of star formation. Wispy brown filaments surround the central starburst region, created by gas heated by stellar winds and ultraviolet radiation from young stars. Previous observations from the Hubble Space Telescope indicated the presence of older red stars in the galaxy, suggesting that star formation began over a billion years ago.
The latest image also suggests more recent star formation, possibly triggered by an interaction with a neighboring companion galaxy. Released on March 26 as part of an initiative to study the life cycle of dust in I Zwicky 18 using infrared wavelengths of the JWST, the observations indicate that the most significant bursts of star formation occurred at different times in each lobe, with the northwest lobe showing the strongest activity more recently.
This new insight into the star formation history of I Zwicky 18 underscores the importance of continued exploration and observation of distant galaxies. The JWST’s cutting-edge technology allows scientists to unveil the mysteries of the universe and gain a deeper understanding of the processes that shape galaxies like I Zwicky 18. Stay tuned for more exciting discoveries from the world of astronomy and space exploration.
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