BANG! James Webb telescope catches stray galaxies in the Bullet Cluster: Space photo of the week
What it is: The Bullet Cluster
Where it is: 3.7 billion light-years from Earth, in the constellation Carina
When it was shared: June 30, 2025
Why it's so special: Galaxy clusters act as a magnifying lens, shining light on the faintest and most distant objects — a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. On the rarest of occasions, galaxy clusters collide, creating an even more massive lens. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recently provided extremely detailed observations of such a lens, the Bullet Cluster.
Located about 3.7 billion light-years from Earth in the constellation Carina, the Bullet Cluster is the aftermath of the collision between two galaxy clusters that is estimated to have begun approximately 150 million years ago. Each of the two galaxy clusters can be distinguished within the blue regions, yet they are bound by gravity and together form a single entity — the Bullet Cluster.
While gravitational lensing brings distant, faint objects into light, the extent of lensing can reveal the mass distribution within the massive foreground galaxy cluster. Mysterious dark matter makes up a huge chunk of galaxy clusters, but is difficult to spot because it does not reflect, absorb or emit light. So, astronomers sometimes study light from stars that are within the galaxy cluster but are not part of any galaxies. These stars are called intracluster stars and are floating because they are stripped from their galaxies during collisions. By analyzing the light from these stars, researchers can trace the distribution of dark matter, as these stars are gravitationally bound to the cluster's dark matter.
Related: James Webb telescope discovers tentacled 'jellyfish' galaxy swimming through deep space
The latest data from JWST, combined with data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, allowed astronomers to create an accurate map of mass — both visible and dark matter — within the Bullet Cluster. The light from intracluster stars pinned down the location of invisible matter, and the X-rays confirmed the location of hot gas. Based on these observations, astronomers could "replay" the collision. This revealed that hot gas (in bright pink) was pulled out of the galaxy clusters and left behind in the central region, while the dark matter (in blue) associated with individual galaxy clusters stayed intact and was not dragged away.
—6 incredible objects hidden in Vera C. Rubin Observatory's mind-boggling first image
—NASA spots Martian volcano twice the height of Mount Everest bursting through the morning clouds
—James Webb telescope takes best look at 'Sombrero Galaxy' in 244 years
This stunning image, a composite of JWST's near-infrared data and Chandra's X-ray data, reveals clumps and stretched-out lines of mass that were previously unknown. These newfound structures could be signatures of a chaotic history, suggesting that the Bullet Cluster may have suffered several collisions over billions of years. The larger cluster, on the left side, might have undergone separate interactions before and after colliding with the smaller cluster on the right.
This brilliant image covers only a portion of the collision's aftermath. In the future, the wide-area near-infrared images taken with NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could provide a complete picture of the Bullet Cluster, both by unveiling spectacular photos and unraveling its mysteries.
For more sublime space images, check out our Space Photo of the Week archives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mercury's 'missing' meteorites may have finally been found on Earth
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Most meteorites that have reached Earth come from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. But we have 1,000 or so meteorites that come from the Moon and Mars. This is probably a result of asteroids hitting their surfaces and ejecting material towards our planet. It should also be physically possible for such debris to reach the Earth from Mercury, another nearby rocky body. But so far, none have been confirmed to come from there — presenting a longstanding mystery. A new study my colleagues and I conducted has discovered two meteorites that could have a Mercurian origin. If confirmed, they would offer a rare window into Mercury's formation and evolution, potentially reshaping our understanding of the planet nearest the Sun. Because Mercury is so close to the Sun, any space mission to retrieve a sample from there would be complex and costly. A naturally delivered fragment, therefore, may be the only practical way to study its surface directly — making such a discovery scientifically invaluable. Observations from NASA's Messenger mission have inferred the surface composition of Mercury. This suggests the presence of minerals known as such as sodium-rich plagioclase (such as albite), iron-poor pyroxene (for example enstatite), iron-poor olivine (such as forsterite) and sulfide minerals such as oldhamite. The meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 7325 was initially proposed as a possible fragment of Mercury. However, its mineralogy includes chromium-rich pyroxene containing approximately 1% iron. This poorly matches Mercury's estimated surface composition. As a result of this, and other factors, this link has been challenged. Related: Mercury may have a 'potentially habitable' region below its surface, salty glaciers suggest Aubrite meteorites have also been proposed as potential Mercurian fragments. Recent modeling of their formation suggests an origin from a large planetary body approximately 5,000km in diameter (similar to Mercury), potentially supporting this hypothesis. Although aubrites do not exhibit chemical or spectral (the study of how light is broken up by wavelength) similarities with Mercury's surface, it has been hypothesized that they may derive from the planet's shallow mantle (the layer beneath the surface). Despite ongoing research, the existence of a definitive meteorite from Mercury remains unproven. Our latest study investigated the properties of two unusual meteorites, Ksar Ghilane 022 and Northwest Africa 15915. We found that the two samples appear to be related, probably originating from the same parent body. Their mineralogy and surface composition also exhibit intriguing similarities to Mercury's crust. So this has prompted us to speculate about a possible Mercurian origin. Both meteorites contain olivine and pyroxene, minor albitic plagioclase and oldhamite. Such features are consistent with predictions for Mercury's surface composition. Additionally, their oxygen compositions match those of aubrites. These shared characteristics make the samples compelling candidates for being Mercurian material. However, notable differences exist. Both meteorites contain only trace amounts of plagioclase, in contrast to Mercury's surface, which is estimated to contain over 37%. Furthermore, our study suggests that the age of the samples is about 4,528 million years old. This is significantly older than Mercury's oldest recognised surface units, which are predicted (based on crater counting) to be approximately 4,000 million years. If these meteorites do originate from Mercury, they may represent early material that is no longer preserved in the planet's current surface geology. To link any meteorite to a specific asteroid type, moon or planet is extremely challenging. For example, laboratory analysis of Apollo samples allowed meteorites found in desert collection expeditions to be matched with the lunar materials. Martian meteorites have been identified through similarities between the composition of gases trapped in the meteorites with measurements of the martian atmosphere by spacecraft. Until we visit Mercury and bring back material, it will be extremely difficult to assess a meteorite-planet link. The BepiColombo space mission, by the European and Japanese space agencies, is now in orbit around Mercury and is about to send back high-resolution data. This may help us determine the ultimate origin body for Ksar Ghilane 022 and Northwest Africa 15915. If meteorites from Mercury were discovered, they could help resolve a variety of long-standing scientific questions. For example, they could reveal the age and evolution of Mercury's crust, its mineralogical and geochemical composition and the nature of its gases. RELATED STORIES —Mercury is weird because of a 'hit-and-run' incident in its youth —See Mercury's frigid north pole in extraordinary new images from the BepiColombo spacecraft —9-mile-thick layer of solid diamonds may lurk beneath Mercury's surface, study hints The origin of these samples is likely to remain a subject of continuing debate within the scientific community. Several presentations have already been scheduled for the upcoming Meteoritical Society Meeting 2025 in Australia. We look forward to future discussions that will further explore and refine our understanding of their potential origin. For now, all we can do is make educated guesses. What do you think? This edited article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
BANG! James Webb telescope catches stray galaxies in the Bullet Cluster: Space photo of the week
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. What it is: The Bullet Cluster Where it is: 3.7 billion light-years from Earth, in the constellation Carina When it was shared: June 30, 2025 Why it's so special: Galaxy clusters act as a magnifying lens, shining light on the faintest and most distant objects — a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. On the rarest of occasions, galaxy clusters collide, creating an even more massive lens. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recently provided extremely detailed observations of such a lens, the Bullet Cluster. Located about 3.7 billion light-years from Earth in the constellation Carina, the Bullet Cluster is the aftermath of the collision between two galaxy clusters that is estimated to have begun approximately 150 million years ago. Each of the two galaxy clusters can be distinguished within the blue regions, yet they are bound by gravity and together form a single entity — the Bullet Cluster. While gravitational lensing brings distant, faint objects into light, the extent of lensing can reveal the mass distribution within the massive foreground galaxy cluster. Mysterious dark matter makes up a huge chunk of galaxy clusters, but is difficult to spot because it does not reflect, absorb or emit light. So, astronomers sometimes study light from stars that are within the galaxy cluster but are not part of any galaxies. These stars are called intracluster stars and are floating because they are stripped from their galaxies during collisions. By analyzing the light from these stars, researchers can trace the distribution of dark matter, as these stars are gravitationally bound to the cluster's dark matter. Related: James Webb telescope discovers tentacled 'jellyfish' galaxy swimming through deep space The latest data from JWST, combined with data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, allowed astronomers to create an accurate map of mass — both visible and dark matter — within the Bullet Cluster. The light from intracluster stars pinned down the location of invisible matter, and the X-rays confirmed the location of hot gas. Based on these observations, astronomers could "replay" the collision. This revealed that hot gas (in bright pink) was pulled out of the galaxy clusters and left behind in the central region, while the dark matter (in blue) associated with individual galaxy clusters stayed intact and was not dragged away. —6 incredible objects hidden in Vera C. Rubin Observatory's mind-boggling first image —NASA spots Martian volcano twice the height of Mount Everest bursting through the morning clouds —James Webb telescope takes best look at 'Sombrero Galaxy' in 244 years This stunning image, a composite of JWST's near-infrared data and Chandra's X-ray data, reveals clumps and stretched-out lines of mass that were previously unknown. These newfound structures could be signatures of a chaotic history, suggesting that the Bullet Cluster may have suffered several collisions over billions of years. The larger cluster, on the left side, might have undergone separate interactions before and after colliding with the smaller cluster on the right. This brilliant image covers only a portion of the collision's aftermath. In the future, the wide-area near-infrared images taken with NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could provide a complete picture of the Bullet Cluster, both by unveiling spectacular photos and unraveling its mysteries. For more sublime space images, check out our Space Photo of the Week archives.
The Hill
14 hours ago
- The Hill
Should we stop Asteroid 2024 YR4 from hitting the moon?
Asteroid 2024 YR4 has popped up on the news again, offering both peril and opportunities, A few months ago, NASA noted that 2024 YR4 had a 3.1 percent chance of hitting the Earth in 2032. Since the rock is 50 to 90 meters in diameter, if it were to hit the Earth, it would cause an explosion equivalent to a nuclear bomb with the accompanying devastation. Subsequently, NASA dialed down the threat 2024 YR4 posed to the Earth and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Now, the Earth approaching asteroid has a new target. A small chance exists that it will hit the moon in 2032. The prospect presents new dangers, though not as great as the destruction of a city. According to ZME Science, new data from the James Webb Space Telescope, 2024 YR4 has a 4.3 percent chance of hitting the moon on December 22, 2032. 'If 2024 YR4 hits, it will create a blast equivalent to 6.5 million tons of TNT. The resulting crater would stretch about a kilometer across — bigger than almost any the Moon has seen in the last 5,000 years.' Depending on whether the asteroid hits the near side of the moon —a 50-50 chance assuming it hits it at all — about 10 percent of the debris, about 100 million kilograms, ranging in size from flecks of dust to a small pebbles, could be captured by the Earth's gravity and reach the atmosphere in perhaps three to five days. Little if any debris kicked up by a lunar impact would threaten the Earth's surface. At most, it would cause a spectacular meteor shower unlike anything in our lifetimes. Both scientists and casual sky watchers will be intrigued at this once in several millennia event. The effects on space assets are another matter, however. Satellites, ranging from relatively small Comsats to commercial space stations expected to be in operation by the 2030s, will be subjected to tiny objects traveling at tens of thousands of meters per second. SpaceX's Starlink constellation will be at particular risk. 'This debris won't likely destroy spacecraft and satellites, but it adds wear and tear,' writes ZME. 'In rare cases, a lucky — or unlucky — piece of rock could disable a satellite or trigger a cascade of debris collisions.' Both NASA and Chinese astronauts may be living and working on the moon at the time 2024 YR4 hits and will be in jeopardy due to falling debris or other hazards. The Lunar Gateway, if it exists in seven years, could also be subject to impacts. What, if anything, can be done about it? The option exists of doing nothing. After all, a four percent chance of the asteroid hitting the moon means a 96 percent chance of it not hitting the moon. However, if the powers that be were to decide to divert 2024 YR4 so that it doesn't hit the moon, the technical task should be relatively easy. NASA has already tested asteroid deflection with its DART mission, which diverted an asteroid named Dimorphos with a kinetic impactor. The economic and political problems facing the diversion of 2024 YR4 are another matter. NASA is currently in turmoil due to proposed draconian budget cuts and a lack of a permanent administrator. The Space Force, which is being lavished with money compared to NASA, might be assigned the task. Indeed, an asteroid diversion mission could be good practice for space operations by America's newest military branch. The other alternative is to perform a redirection mission to 2024 YR4 privately. One of the things that Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur whose nomination to be NASA administrator President Trump abruptly withdrew, is contemplating is private science missions. An asteroid redirect mission might fit into that model. One can see SpaceX's Elon Musk financing such a mission. Musk has deep pockets and an incentive to divert 2024 YR4 if it threatens his Starlink constellation. Asteroid diversion might become a good business for private launch companies such as SpaceX. If a really big space rock threatens the Earth, the nations of the world might be willing to pay a lot of money to ward it off. Someone like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, founder of SpaceX competitor Blue Origin, might literally save the world for a profit. If such an asteroid is rich in useful natural resources, its diversion to a safe, stable orbit around the Earth would be even more profitable. Access to such a source of minerals could spark a space-based industrial revolution. Save the world and get fabulously wealthy doing so. Someone really should make a movie out of that scenario, before it becomes true life. Mark Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration titled 'Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?' as well as 'The Moon, Mars and Beyond,' and, most recently, 'Why is America Going Back to the Moon?' He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner.
