来自韦伯的不寻常的螺旋星系M66
(原标题: Unusual Spiral Galaxy M66 from Webb)
2023-08-29
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为什么螺旋星系M66不是对称的？通常，气体、尘埃和新形成的恒星的密度波围绕螺旋星系的中心，形成一个近乎对称的星系。M66旋臂之间的差异及其核心的明显位移都可能是由于之前的密切相互作用以及附近星系M65和NGC 3628的潮汐引力作用造成的。这是詹姆斯·韦伯太空望远镜拍摄的红外光下的星系，跨度约10万光年，距离约3500万光年，是狮子座三胞胎群中最大的星系。像许多螺旋星系一样，M66的长而复杂的尘埃带与明亮的恒星和螺旋臂后面的星系间尘埃交织在一起。
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Why isn't spiral galaxy M66 symmetric? Usually, density waves of gas, dust, and newly formed stars circle a spiral galaxy's center and create a nearly symmetric galaxy. The differences between M66's spiral arms and the apparent displacement of its nucleus are all likely caused by previous close interactions and the tidal gravitational pulls of nearby galaxy neighbors M65 and NGC 3628. The galaxy, featured here in infrared light taken by the James Webb Space Telescope, spans about 100,000 light years, lies about 35 million light years distant, and is the largest galaxy in a group known as the Leo Triplet. Like many spiral galaxies, the long and intricate dust lanes of M66 are seen intertwined with the bright stars and intergalactic dust that follow the spiral arms.