We had to keep in mind that this was actual data and that astronomy was
entering a new age at the time.
A galaxy exists. Then there are galaxy clusters, which are collections of a
few hundred to a few thousand galaxies that are gravitationally bound
together. Then there are galactic megaclusters, or, to put it another way, a
cluster of clusters. Three galaxy clusters are merging to form
Pandora's Cluster, a megacluster, in a stunning picture from the James Webb Space
Telescope.
Gravitational lensing, a process that enables astronomers to utilize a
galaxy cluster like a huge magnifying glass to observe more distant objects
behind it, has already made Pandora's Cluster a cosmic superstar. The
megacluster and Webb's infrared vision worked together to create the new
image. According to NASA, the picture contains 50,000 infrared light
sources, many of which are distant galaxies that have been rendered visible
by the lensing effect.
According to astronomer Rachel Bezanson of the University of Pittsburgh,
"We were honestly a touch star struck" when the first photographs of
Pandora's Cluster arrived from Webb. "I found myself getting lost in the
picture since there was so much detail in the foreground cluster and so many
distant lensed galaxies. Webb surpassed our hopes."
The layers contain the magic.
The image may be zoomed in on here. Some of the far-off galaxies resemble tiny light arcs. According to NASA,
the galaxy cluster acts as a "lens" that bends space itself to such an
extent that light from distant galaxies that travel through it seems to be
bent as well.
The data for the image were collected by Webb's Near-Infrared Camera
(NIRCam) during the course of around 30 hours of observation. It offers a
glimpse into an exciting area of space. In order to understand more about
some of the lensed galaxies and provide scientists with a glimpse into a
portion of the early cosmos, astronomers will do additional studies.
The picture of Pandora's Cluster is evidence of Webb's adaptability.
Although the telescope has provided us with some stunning galaxy close-ups
and nebula glamor shots, this view is referred to be a "deep field" since it
is looking out into space to see faraway, dim celestial objects.
NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency are all
working together on the Webb project. Astronomer Ivo Labbe of Swinburne
University of Technology noted that his initial impression of the image was
that it was "so beautiful, it seemed like a galaxy creation simulation." We
had to keep in mind that this was actual data and that astronomy was
entering a new age at the time.
