In this image captured by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, we get a stunning view of the grand-design spiral galaxy M51. Unlike other spiral galaxies with irregular or disrupted spiral arms, M51 boasts well-developed and prominent arms. This composite image, combining data from Webb’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI), reveals warm dust permeating the galaxy, as well as regions of ionized gas and newly formed star clusters. M51 is located about 27 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici and is entangled in a complex relationship with its neighboring dwarf galaxy NGC 5195. The interactions between these two galaxies make them a fascinating subject of study. This image is part of the FEAST observations, which aim to understand the interplay between stellar feedback and star formation in galaxies beyond our Milky Way. Webb’s observations offer a new window into the early stages of star formation and allow scientists to explore processes like planet formation and metal enrichment.
https://esawebb.org/images/potm2308a/