Engine Powering Two Merging Galaxies Spotted by James Webb Space Telescope; What Happens During Galactic Collisions?

Over a decade ago, specialists observed two merging galaxies from around 500 million light years far. Futurism reports that this galactic collision was seen to release abundant infrared light.

Engine Powering Two Merging Galaxies

Though the exact illumination source was impossible to directly identify when it was first spotted twelve years ago, the scientists were convinced that it may have come from a strong source of energy. Within the galactic collision was the IIZw096, which was dubbed by specialists as the "engine" powering two merging galaxies.

Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the specialists were able to delve further into this mystery. According to AZO Quantum, the researchers utilized the JWST to point out where the strong energy source was exactly located despite being hidden by dust across the galactic collision.

The outcomes of this observation were documented in the Astrophysical Journal Letters publication.

Study author and assistant professor Hanae Inami stated how the JWST has enabled them to see the universe in a new light due to its great sensitivity and spatial resolution in infrared light. Inami noted that the scientists wanted to look for the engine powering two merging galaxies. Knowing that it was hidden and covered by dust, they could not utilize UV or visible light to detect it. It was only through the Mid-infrared feature of the JWST that they were able to pick up such a strong energy source.

Futurism reports that the researchers hold that this engine accounted for 70% of the infrared light emitted by the collision. This is a remarkable proportion considering its small size.

Researcher and co-author Thomas Bohn, from Hiroshima University, expresses how intriguing it is that this source is dominant when it comes to the luminosity of infrared light in such a collision.

Professor Inami mentions that the researchers want to dig deeper into this strong energy source. They want to see if it is a huge black hole or a starburst. The researchers will be using the infrared spectra generated through the JWST in order to test such assumptions. Professor Inami also mentions how unusual it is for the engine to be situated outside the galactic collision main parts. Hence, they want to see how this strong source ended up in such a location.

What Happens During Galactic Collisions?

AZO Quantum reports that because galactic collisions tend to take place, the planets, stars, and other constituents within the galaxies may collide with each other. This makes the debris fodder other cosmic events.

Most galactic collisions emit infrared light with lengthier wavelengths compared to visible light. Such a light is beyond what the naked eye can see and perceive.

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