Thursday, February 13, 2025

Inbox Astronomy: Webb Maps Full Picture of How Phoenix Galaxy Cluster Forms Stars

INBOX ASTRONOMY

Webb Maps Full Picture of How Phoenix Galaxy Cluster Forms Stars

Release date: Thursday, February 13, 2025 10:00:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Webb Maps Full Picture of How Phoenix Galaxy Cluster Forms Stars



Discovery proves decades-old theory of galaxy feeding cycle.

Since its discovery in 2010, the Phoenix cluster has always been one to stand out from the bunch.

It's one of the most massive galaxy clusters known to astronomers, and was the first galaxy cluster found to have a supermassive black hole that promotes, instead of hinders, a high rate of star formation.

Just how that was happening, though, remained a mystery. Researchers could see super-hot gas, and super-cold filaments of gas hiding forming stars. However, the in-between remained unseen. That is, until NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's infrared eye examined the cluster's core and found the missing cooling gas.



Find additional articles, images, and videos at WebbTelescope.org



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