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James Webb Telescope identified hidden structure in the core of Galaxy known as M77 and revealed new details of deep space.
A formation previously invisible inside the Squid Galaxy, called M77 or NGC 1068, was identified by the James Webb telescope during infrared observations. According to information from Olhar Digital, the equipment managed to penetrate huge concentrations of cosmic dust that prevented direct visualization of the galactic core, revealing a bar-shaped structure at the center of the spiral galaxy located about 35 million light-years from Earth.
The discovery reinforces the role of the James Webb telescope in studying deep regions of the universe that remained inaccessible to other astronomical instruments. Besides the new structure, the images also showed intense areas of star formation and details about the movement of gas and dust near the galaxy’s core.
Galaxy observed by the James Webb telescope is a reference for studies
Among astronomers, M77 is considered one of the main models for research on active galactic nuclei. This is because its position relative to Earth favors direct observation of its structure.
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Another important factor is the short astronomical distance compared to other similar galaxies. Even located millions of light-years away, it is seen as relatively close within spatial standards.
At the center of the Squid Galaxy, there is an extremely active supermassive black hole. This core concentrates a large amount of moving matter, releasing enormous levels of energy.
Dust prevented observation of the Galaxy’s core
For many years, scientists faced difficulties investigating the heart of M77. The central region is surrounded by thick clouds of dust that block different types of light.
This natural barrier hinders observations in:
- visible light;
- ultraviolet;
- part of radio waves.
Because of this, conventional telescopes could not clearly record the interior of the galaxy.
The James Webb telescope was developed precisely to overcome this type of limitation. Its sensors work with infrared light, capable of penetrating areas covered by cosmic dust.
James Webb telescope equipment revealed hidden structure
The observations were made with the help of the NIRCam and MIRI cameras, instruments specialized in capturing images in the near and mid-infrared.
With this technology, researchers were able to identify a band composed of stars, dust, and gas crossing the central region of the galaxy. This formation is known to astronomers as a galactic bar.
The structure had not been detected previously because it remained hidden behind the intense concentration of dust in the core of M77.
The images also allowed for viewing internal details around the central area of the galaxy, expanding the understanding of the dynamics present in the region.
Galaxy’s Core May Hide Two Black Holes
Analyses indicate that the mass concentrated at the center of the Squid Galaxy is approximately 13 million times the mass of the Sun. Despite this, researchers still do not know exactly how this mass is organized.
Recent studies have hypothesized that there are two supermassive black holes in the galactic core, orbiting very close to each other.
Even with the high technological capability of the James Webb telescope, scientists explain that the extremely small distance between these possible objects prevents direct individual visualization.
According to the presented data, the projected separation would be only 0.1 parsec, making it impossible to distinguish each structure separately with the available images.
Star Formation Appears in Bright Regions of the Galaxy
Another aspect revealed by the new images involves the presence of luminous areas scattered throughout the galaxy’s spiral arms. These reddish points represent regions where new stars are emerging.
The phenomenon occurs when large concentrations of gas reach sufficient density to collapse under the effect of gravity. From this process, a new star is born.
The records made by the telescope also show a large ring of star formation around the central region of M77. According to researchers, this ring is several thousand light-years in diameter.
Scientists believe that the very gravitational structure of the galaxy helps concentrate gas in this area, favoring the emergence of new stars.
The Squid Galaxy as a giant particle accelerator
Besides visual discoveries, the M77 had already surprised the scientific community in 2022, when researchers traced a high-energy neutrino directly to the interior of this galaxy.
Neutrinos are subatomic particles extremely difficult to detect and associate with a specific source — which made the achievement even more significant.
This type of particle only originates in extreme energy environments, and the discovery led scientists to classify the Squid Galaxy as one of the few giant atomic particle accelerators identified outside the Milky Way.
To fuel all this energy, the central black hole of M77 consumes material at a rate equivalent to about 0.23 times the mass of the Sun per year.
With all this material in free fall, subjected to intense gravitational pressures and friction, it generates a colossal amount of energy — part of it converted into ultra-high-power neutrinos.
James Webb Telescope expands investigation of the universe
The observations made in M77 demonstrate how the James Webb Telescope is expanding human capacity to investigate previously hidden regions of the universe.
By operating with infrared light, the equipment can capture phenomena that remained invisible to older observatories.
In addition to revealing details of the Squid Galaxy, the telescope allows scientists to deepen research on:
- star formation;
- behavior of black holes;
- dynamics of active galaxies;
- movement of gas and dust in space.
The new images also help researchers better understand cosmic processes considered fundamental to explaining the evolution of the universe.
Source: Olhar Digital
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