This James Webb Space Telescope observation of the irregular, low-metallicity galaxy NGC 6822 offers important insights into early Universe procedures like excellent evolution and interstellar dust life cycle. Discovered by E. E. Barnard in 1884, NGC 6822 was later on studied by Edwin Hubble, who determined it as the first object situated outside the Milky Way.
Observing Irregular Galaxy NGC 6822 With James Webb Space Telescope
Caught by the Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) installed on the James Webb Space Telescope, this image reveals the irregular galaxy NGC 6822. As their names recommend, NIRCam and MIRI probe various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. This allows the instruments to observe different parts of the very same galaxy, with MIRI particularly delicate to its gas-rich regions (the yellow swirls in this image) and NIRCam appropriate for observing its largely packed field of stars.
NGC 6822: A Glimpse into the Early Universe
Located around 1.5 million light-years away, NGC 6822 is the nearby galactic next-door neighbor to the Milky Way that is not a satellite.
This James Webb Space Telescope observation of the irregular, low-metallicity galaxy NGC 6822 deals valuable insights into early Universe procedures like stellar development and interstellar dust life cycle. Discovered by E. E. Barnard in 1884, NGC 6822 was later on studied by Edwin Hubble, who determined it as the very first item situated outside the Milky Way. Recorded by the Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) installed on the James Webb Space Telescope, this image shows the irregular galaxy NGC 6822. The research study of NGC 6822 has an interesting history that long precedes modern investigations with Webb. As with many astronomical objects that appeared scattered with telescopes of the time, NGC 6822 was miscategorized as an “extremely faint nebula.”
It displays extremely low metallicity, meaning it has very little percentages of aspects other than hydrogen and helium. Metallicity is a basic principle in astronomy considering that components apart from hydrogen and helium are mainly produced by stars over their life times.
In the early universe, before the first generation of stars had actually been born, lived, and died, everything was of low metallicity. Thus, contemporary items with low metallicity, like NGC 6822, are valuable in understanding how processes such as outstanding advancement and the life cycle of interstellar dust most likely occurred in the early Universe.
These factors to consider encouraged the observations of NGC 6822 with Webb to much better comprehend the formation of stars and the advancement of dust in low-metallicity environments.
The Historical Study of NGC 6822
The study of NGC 6822 has an intriguing history that long precedes contemporary investigations with Webb. It was very first discovered by E. E. Barnard, who provided his discovery in a very brief paper in 1884 in The Sidereal Messenger: a essential but short-lived American regular monthly astronomical journal that was released between 1882 and 1891. As with lots of astronomical items that appeared diffuse with telescopes of the time, NGC 6822 was miscategorized as an “exceptionally faint nebula.”
Over the occurring years, numerous misconceptions arose about NGC 6822 regarding its evident size, brightness, and even object type due to an absence of appropriate consideration for how the very same object might appear different when observed with various telescopes. The Hubble Space Telescopes namesake, Edwin Hubble, conducted an extensive research study of NGC 6822 and released an even more detailed paper in 1925.
Edwin Hubbles Groundbreaking Work
Hubbles work significantly contributed to humankinds evolving understanding of the Universe. In his own words, “N.G.C. 6822, [was] the very first item definitely appointed to an area outside the stellar system.” His findings played an important role in the then continuous debate among astronomers about deep spaces extent by proving the presence of huge items beyond the Milky Way.
The research study of this galaxy was subsequently continued by Susan Kayser, the very first lady to get a PhD in astronomy from Caltech. Her 1966 thesis remained the most comprehensive examination of this galaxy until the 2000s. Today, the study of this crucial regional galaxy is being continued with the James Webb Space Telescope.