Managed Webb Telescope Reveals Star Formation in Galaxy’s Outskirts – Pasadena Now

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has captured unprecedented images of star formation in the Milky Way's distant outskirts. The observations, led by scientists at Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, offer new insights into galactic evolution.

The telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument, managed through launch by Jet Propulsion Laboratory, examined areas over 58,000 light-years from the galactic center. These regions, known as the Extreme Outer Galaxy, contain molecular clouds hosting bursts of star formation.

"In the past, we knew about these star-forming regions but were not able to delve into their properties," said Natsuko Izumi, lead author of the study. Webb's high sensitivity and sharp resolution revealed details previously unseen in these distant areas.

The observations focused on two molecular clouds, Digel Clouds 1 and 2, examining regions 1A, 1B, 2N, and 2S. These clouds are similar in composition to dwarf galaxies and the early Milky Way.

Mike Ressler of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, principal investigator for the observing program, expressed amazement at the findings.

"What was fascinating and astounding to me from the Webb data is that there are multiple jets shooting out in all different directions from this cluster of stars," he said.

In Cloud 2S, Webb confirmed the existence of a suspected sub-cluster for the first time. Future research plans include investigating circumstellar disks and jet kinematics in this cloud.

JPL's involvement extends beyond Mid-Infrared Instrument management. The laboratory led U.S. efforts for the instrument and collaborated on the development of its cryocooler.

These observations, part of Guaranteed Time Observation program 1237, mark a significant step in unraveling star formation.

The James Webb Space Telescope is the world's premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).

MIRI was developed through a 50-50 partnership between NASA and ESA. JPL led the U.S. efforts for MIRI, and a multinational consortium of European astronomical institutes contributes for ESA. George Rieke with the University of Arizona is the MIRI science team lead. Gillian Wright is the MIRI European principal investigator.

The MIRI cryocooler development was led and managed by JPL.