Universe images by Knut

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• Title : Webb Reveals IC 5332
• Description : If this new image from Webb’s mid-infrared instrument (MIRI) looks dark and moody, that's because things look different in mid-infrared light than in visible, ultraviolet, or near-infrared light — the wavelengths you may be more used to seeing from Hubble, Webb and other space telescopes. These are the "bones” of galaxy IC 5332, usually hidden by dust. In mid-infrared light, Webb is able to peer through that dust and see the patterns of gas spread throughout the galaxy. Webb only has one instrument that’s able to see in mid-infrared, making MIRI cool in more ways than one. MIRI’s cryocooler, a special refrigerator, helps keep it just a few degrees shy of absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature! This image: Compare Hubble’s combined visible and ultraviolet view (left) with Webb’s mid-infrared view (right) of galaxy IC 5332. Notice how the dark regions of dust between the spiral arms of this galaxy are visible in Hubble’s image but not in Webb’s, as mid-infrared light is able to pass through the dust. Different stars also shine brighter at different wavelengths — so some stars are clearer in Hubble’s view, while others are more visible with Webb. Taken together, these two views provide us a more complete understanding of galaxy IC 5332’s structure and composition.