James Webb captures the detailed cosmic dance of Arp 107 galactic collision
The James Webb Space Telescope has photographed the collision between a spiral and an elliptical galaxy, providing more detailed data on the Arp 107 system. Thanks to modern technology, astronomers can now analyse this cosmic spectacle more precisely than ever.
The modern James Webb telescope enabled extraordinary accuracy in capturing the collision of a spiral and an elliptical galaxy, known as Arp 107. Arp 107 is a pair of galaxies located about 137 million parsecs from Earth, visible in the Leo Minor constellation.
This system was previously observed by the Spitzer Space Telescope in 2005, but the new observation made by the Webb telescope provides much more detailed information. Astronomers created a composite from images from two cameras operating in the mid- and near-infrared—MIRI and NIRCam. The NIRCam camera excellently showcases the stars within both galaxies. It reveals the connection between them, described as "a transparent, white bridge of stars and gas pulled from both galaxies during their passage."
Meanwhile, the MIRI camera shows regions giving birth to new stars and dust composed of organic molecules. This device also revealed the core of the large spiral galaxy, which houses a supermassive black hole. Currently, the system somewhat resembles a "smiling face."
The spiral galaxy belongs to the so-called Seyfert galaxies, characterised by a very bright core. The source of the intense light is most likely matter falling onto the central black hole.
Galaxy collision
Similar to the "Cartwheel Galaxy," the galaxies interact; however, in the case of Arp 107, the smaller elliptical galaxy likely collided from the side, limiting the damage to the spiral galaxy by only disturbing its arms.
Galaxy collisions, even if they seem destructive, can yield positive effects. They can compress the gas, improving conditions for the formation of new stars. On the other hand, as Webb's observations show, collisions can also disperse large amounts of gas, potentially depriving new stars of essential material.
The collision and merging process of galaxies in Arp 107 can last hundreds of millions of years. Researchers predict that after this process concludes, the system may lose its current "smile" and transform into a formation equally interesting to future astronomers.
