NGC 6822 (MIRI image)

This image shows the irregular galaxy NGC 6822, as observed by the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) mounted on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. MIRI probes the mid-infrared, which in this case makes it perfectly suited to observe the dense regions of gas that suffuse this galaxy.

At mid-infrared wavelengths the emission of light by galactic dust is prominent, obscuring the galaxy’s stars which themselves are faint at these longer wavelengths. Brilliant blue gas indicates light emitted by organic compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which play a critical role in the formation of stars and planets. Cyan marks cooler patches of dust, while warmer dust is more orange.

Distant galaxies far beyond NGC 6822 are displayed in orange. The few galaxies that are relatively closer, meanwhile, are marked in green by their own light-emitting dust, which MIRI can pick out. Bright red and magenta colours indicate active areas of star formation in the galaxy. With so many stars, supernova explosions are routine, and an amazing example of a supernova remnant is visible in this image: a red ring just below the centre.

This image has been slightly downscaled from the original MIRI image, which you can view here.

[Image Description: A dark field covered by many layers of billowing clouds, made of gas and dust, spread out in complex patterns. In the centre the clouds are dense and glowing; out towards the edges, they become dark and faint. Bright galaxies with various shapes and sizes shine through the clouds. Many bright stars with visible diffraction spikes are spread throughout the image.]

Links

• Slider tool: NGC 6822 (NIRCam and MIRI images)
• NGC 6822 (NIRCam+MIRI image)