Sombrero Galaxy (NIRCam and MIRI image)

The Sombrero galaxy is split diagonally in this image: near-infrared observations from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope are at the left, and mid-infrared observations from Webb are at the right. The near-infrared image shows where dust from the outer ring blocks stellar light from the inner portions of the galaxy. Then, the mid-infrared image actually shows that dust glowing.

The powerful resolution of Webb’s NIRCam also allows us to resolve individual stars outside of, but not necessarily at the same distance as, the galaxy, some of which appear red. These are called red giants, which are cooler stars, but their large surface area causes them to glow brightly in this image. These red giants also are detected in the mid-infrared, while the smaller, bluer stars in the near-infrared “disappear” in the longer wavelengths.

This image was created with Webb data from proposal 6565 (PI: M. Garcia Marin). The assigned filters are as follows: NIRCam - F090W, F200W, F212N, F277W, F335M, F444W, MIRI - F770W, F1130W, F1280W.

[Image description: Two observations of the Sombrero galaxy are split diagonally, with Webb’s near-infrared observation at the left and Webb’s mid-infrared observation at the right. The galaxy is a very oblong disk that extends from left to right at an angle (from about 10 o’clock to 5 o’clock). The galaxy’s core is in the center of the image. In the near-infrared image, the galaxy’s center glows white and extends above and below the disk. The outer edge of the disk is mottled brown clumps. In the mid-infrared image, the galaxy is whiteish-blue, and clumpy, like clouds in the sky. There is an inner disk that is clearer, with speckles of stars scattered throughout.]