Slider Tool: Hubble and Webb's views of M82
Use this slider tool to highlight the features of the edge-on starburst galaxy Messier 82 (M82), nicknamed the Cigar Galaxy.
On the left is the view of M82 as seen by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. This image was released in April 2006 for the telescope's 16th anniversary. It showcases the galaxy's webs of shredded clouds and flame-like plumes of glowing hydrogen blasting out from its central regions. You can learn more about this image here.
On the right is Webb's new view of M82 as seen by the Near-InfraRed Camera instrument. Webb’s near-infrared-light view is a snapshot in time, revealing a scene that has been evolving over a couple hundred million years. In near-infrared light, astronomers can see the galaxy’s distended disc structure and millions of individual stars (approximately 16.5 million) for the first time. You can learn more about this new image here.
Credit:Hubble image: NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA). Acknowledgment: J. Gallagher (University of Wisconsin), M. Mountain (STScI) and P. Puxley (NSF).
Webb image: NASA, ESA, CSA, A. Smercina (STScI), T. Williams (University of Manchester). Image processing: A. Pagan (STScI).
About the Images
| Id: | weic2612a | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date: | 23 June 2026, 16:00 | |
| Related releases: | weic2612 | |
