Abell S1063 is the narrow collection of galaxies in the center of this image. Around it are streaks of light, each that represents a more distant galaxy whose image is read gravitational by Abell S1063. Credit: ESA/WEBB/NASA/CSA/h. Atek and M. Zamani (ESA/Webb)
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a new breathtaking image on the cluster of the Galaxy Cluster Abell S1063, overcoming the previous view of Hubble both in depth and in detail. Abell S1063, located 4.5 billion light years of distance in the grus constellation La Gru, acts as a gravitational lens. This huge cluster bends and focuses the light of the galaxies that are far behind, revealing some of the first galaxies in the universe.
Abell S1063’s Deep Field image of Hubble 2016 explored the gravitational lens effect of the cluster for the first time, exposing deformed arches of light and distant galaxies that otherwise would remain hidden from astronomers. Now, the camera of the nearby JWST (Nircam) infrared brings these ancient galaxies over more clear focus, discovering a greater number of galaxies far from the early universe and other invisible characteristics.
This remarkable image has not come easily. Unlike the typical astronomical images, which already need long exhibitions, the deep field images require even more time, collecting as much light as possible to reveal the weakest objects in the universe. The image of Abell S1063 of JWST has combined nine snapshots at different infrared wavelengths, for a total of about 120 hours of observers – JWST’s deepest gaze on a single target.
Studying these primordial galaxies provides a window on how the first structures were formed in the universe. By peeking through the enlargement of Abell S1063, the astronomers hope to put together the story of how the first galaxies emerged, evolved and eventually gave rise to galaxies like our Milky Way.
Do you want to know more? You can see other images JWST Deep Field here and compare other images of Hubbles and JWST HERE.
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