Galaxy Pair Resembles ‘Blood-Soaked’ Eyes in Webb Image

Two spiral galaxies in space appear intertwined. On the left, IC 2163, a smaller galaxy with a bright orange core and sweeping spiral arms in shades of pink, white, and blue, extends nearly to the image's edge. On the right, NGC 2207, a larger galaxy, displays a bright core with thick spiral arms that feature blue star-forming regions. The galaxies’ arms overlap at the center, while the dark background shows faint distant galaxies as red and orange smudges, with a few foreground stars scattered around. The image combines mid-infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light captured by NASA’s James Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes.

This image merges mid-infrared data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope with ultraviolet and visible light from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Millions of years ago, these galaxies brushed past one another, with the smaller spiral, IC 2163 (left), moving behind the larger NGC 2207 (right). Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

Oct 31, 2024 - NASA's James Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes have together captured a haunting view of two neighboring spiral galaxies, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, often described as “blood-soaked” due to their eerie, vivid colors and complex structure. These galaxies, locked in a slow, gravitational dance, reveal in breathtaking detail the effects of galactic interactions. With IC 2163 passing behind its larger companion, NGC 2207, the two galaxies have only begun what could be a prolonged, transformative encounter.

In this article, we’ll delve into the details of this mesmerizing cosmic display, examining the unique features of each galaxy as observed through Webb’s mid-infrared vision and Hubble’s ultraviolet and visible light capabilities. Through these combined observations, NASA has provided us a glimpse into the violent beauty of galactic interactions, unveiling new insights about star formation and the inevitable changes awaiting these colossal cosmic entities.

A Closer Look: IC 2163 and NGC 2207

The two galaxies in question, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, are classic spiral galaxies that have been distorted by their close approach millions of years ago. Although they appear to gaze like a "blood-soaked" mask, their unique colors and patterns tell a fascinating story of cosmic evolution.

Galaxy IC 2163: The “Eye”

IC 2163, the smaller of the two galaxies, appears in this image as a vivid orange and blue form on the left side. With a bright core surrounded by spiral arms that rotate counterclockwise, IC 2163 stretches across nearly a quarter of the view. Its arms, colored in hues of pink, white, and blue, fan out like a celestial eyelid. Notably, Webb's mid-infrared data reveals high concentrations of cold dust, while Hubble's ultraviolet observations highlight areas of intense star formation, showing a cosmic "eyelid" effect as the galaxy extends outward in a striking spiral.

Galaxy NGC 2207: The Larger Companion

Occupying roughly half the field of view, NGC 2207 exhibits a more expansive structure, with thick spiral arms and a bright, luminous core. The blue regions scattered throughout its arms signify active star-forming zones where new stars are born. This larger galaxy displays more defined, massive arms compared to IC 2163, with Webb's mid-infrared imaging showcasing extensive star-forming activity across its pink-hued arms. Its thick arms, dotted with large blue star-forming regions, suggest that the galaxy’s intense gravitational interactions have stimulated waves of stellar birth.

The Power of Galactic Interaction

When two galaxies come close to each other, as with IC 2163 and NGC 2207, the gravitational forces at play can initiate a series of transformative changes. These forces can trigger shock fronts, as shown in the Webb image, where bright red hues highlight regions where gas and dust may have collided, compressing and igniting star formation. The "eyelid" appearance in IC 2163’s structure is likely a result of such tidal forces at work, distorting the usual spiral pattern and stretching material outward.

The “Blood-Soaked” Mask

The eerie coloration of this galactic pair—a mix of blood-red, pink, and blue tones—has sparked imaginations, likening the scene to a blood-soaked mask. This chilling palette is produced by Webb’s infrared view combined with Hubble’s ultraviolet and visible light observations. The red, vein-like arms in IC 2163 emphasize areas of denser dust and heightened star formation, while the blue and white spots indicate energetic young stars born from this dynamic collision.

High Star Formation Rates

Both IC 2163 and NGC 2207 are experiencing prolific star formation, producing approximately two dozen new stars every year—a rate significantly higher than our own Milky Way, which typically generates only two or three sun-sized stars annually. These galaxies have also witnessed a remarkable number of supernovae, with seven recent explosions documented. These supernovae blasts contribute to galactic reshaping by dispersing gas and dust, allowing new waves of star formation to flourish across the galactic arms.

Super Star Clusters and Starburst Regions

The galactic interaction has also generated super star clusters, regions teeming with newly formed stars that appear as clusters of bright blue and pink in both Webb and Hubble’s views. The topmost arm of NGC 2207, which wraps upward and leftward, hosts several mini-starbursts, areas of rapid star formation where stellar births occur in succession.

Uncovering the Cosmic Depth: Webb and Hubble’s Collaborative View

Combining Webb’s mid-infrared with Hubble’s ultraviolet and visible light observations offers a composite view that exposes details invisible in standard images. Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) excels at detecting cold dust, shown in brilliant pinks, where stars are still hidden within dense interstellar clouds. Hubble, on the other hand, captures ultraviolet and visible light, revealing the blazing blue regions where young, hot stars dominate.

These unique perspectives from Webb and Hubble reveal:

Tidal Tails and Extensions: The tidal pull from each galaxy has stretched their spiral arms, creating extended features visible between the cores.
Foreground Stars: A few foreground stars are also captured in the field, their brilliance contrasting with the faint red and orange smudges of distant galaxies in the background.
Distorted Spiral Arms: The gravitational forces between IC 2163 and NGC 2207 have stretched and twisted their arms, creating a distorted, captivating display.

What Lies Ahead?

This galactic encounter is far from over. Astronomers anticipate that IC 2163 and NGC 2207 will likely have future encounters, eventually merging their cores and arms into a single, massive galaxy. Over millions of years, such a merger could create a bright “cyclops-like” central eye, a dense core filled with the remnants of each galaxy’s stars. Once their interstellar gases and dust reserves are exhausted, star formation will slow, and the resulting galaxy will settle into a calm, elliptical shape.

NASA's Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes provide an unprecedented view into the lives of IC 2163 and NGC 2207, allowing us to witness the powerful forces at play in galactic evolution. Through this mesmerizing display of intergalactic interaction, we see the cosmos as a place of beauty, mystery, and endless dynamism.

As we continue to observe these celestial phenomena, we deepen our understanding of the universe’s evolving structure and the role of galactic interactions in shaping the cosmos. The hauntingly beautiful, "blood-soaked" mask of IC 2163 and NGC 2207 stands as a reminder of the relentless, transformative power at the heart of our universe.

Source - NASA

For all the Webb Discoveries Check out Chronological List of James Webb Space Telescope Discoveries.