\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\u2019s Webb Peers into the Extreme Outer Galaxy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"At](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/webb-stsci-01j5nskg3dw0f4pp1dvzw20rf2-4k.png?w=1536\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThis image shows a portion of the star-forming region, known as Digel Cloud 2S (full image below).<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, M. Ressler (JPL)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAstronomers have directed NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope to examine the outskirts of our Milky Way galaxy<\/a>. Scientists call this region the Extreme Outer Galaxy due to its location more than 58,000 light-years away from the Galactic Center<\/a>. (For comparison, Earth is approximately 26,000 light-years from the center.)<\/p>\nA team of scientists used Webb\u2019s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera)<\/a> and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument)<\/a> to image select regions within two molecular clouds known as Digel Clouds 1 and 2. With its high degree of sensitivity and sharp resolution, the Webb data resolved these areas, which are hosts to star clusters<\/a> undergoing bursts of star formation<\/a>, in unprecedented detail. Details of this data include components of the clusters such as very young (Class 0) protostars, outflows and jets, and distinctive nebular structures.<\/p>\nThese Webb observations, which came from telescope time allocated to Mike Ressler of NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, are enabling scientists to study star formation in the outer Milky Way in the same depth of detail as observations of star formation in our own solar neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past, we knew about these star forming regions but were not able to delve into their properties,\u201d said Natsuko Izumi of Gifu University and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, lead author of the study. \u201cThe Webb data builds upon what we have incrementally gathered over the years from prior observations with different telescopes and observatories. We can get very powerful and impressive images of these clouds with Webb. In the case of Digel Cloud 2, I did not expect to see such active star formation and spectacular jets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Image A: Extreme Outer Galaxy (NIRCam and MIRI)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"At](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/webb-stsci-01j5nskg3dw0f4pp1dvzw20rf2-4k.png?w=2048\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nScientists used NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope to examine select star-forming areas in the Extreme Outer Galaxy in near- and mid-infrared light. Within this star-forming region, known as Digel Cloud 2S, the telescope observed young, newly formed stars and their extended jets of material. This Webb image also shows a dense sea of background galaxies and red nebulous structures within the region. In this image, colors were assigned to different filters from Webb\u2019s MIRI and NIRCam: red (F1280W, F770W, F444W), green (F356W, F200W), and blue (F150W; F115W).<\/div>\nNASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, M. Ressler (JPL)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nStars in the Making<\/h2>\n
Although the Digel Clouds are within our galaxy, they are relatively poor in elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. This composition makes them similar to dwarf galaxies<\/a> and our own Milky Way in its early history. Therefore, the team took the opportunity to use Webb to capture the activity occurring in four clusters of young stars within Digel Clouds 1 and 2: 1A, 1B, 2N, and 2S.<\/p>\nFor Cloud 2S, Webb captured the main cluster containing young, newly formed stars. This dense area is quite active as several stars are emitting extended jets of material along their poles. Additionally, while scientists previously suspected a sub-cluster might be present within the cloud, Webb\u2019s imaging capabilities confirmed its existence for the first time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know from studying other nearby star-forming regions that as stars form during their early life phase, they start emitting jets of material at their poles,\u201d said Ressler, second author of the study and principal investigator of the observing program. \u201cWhat 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. It\u2019s a little bit like a firecracker, where you see things shooting this way and that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Saga of Stars<\/h2>\n
The Webb imagery skims the surface of the Extreme Outer Galaxy and the Digel Clouds, and is just a starting point for the team. They intend to revisit this outpost in the Milky Way to find answers to a variety of current mysteries, including the relative abundance of stars of various masses within Extreme Outer Galaxy star clusters. This measurement can help astronomers understand how a particular environment can influence different types of stars during their formation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m interested in continuing to study how star formation is occurring in these regions. By combining data from different observatories and telescopes, we can examine each stage in the evolution process,\u201d said Izumi. \u201cWe also plan to investigate circumstellar disks<\/a> within the Extreme Outer Galaxy. We still don\u2019t know why their lifetimes are shorter than in star-forming regions much closer to us. And of course, I\u2019d like to understand the kinematics of the jets we detected in Cloud 2S.\u201d<\/p>\nThough the story of star formation is complex and some chapters are still shrouded in mystery, Webb is gathering clues and helping astronomers unravel this intricate tale.<\/p>\n
These findings have been published in the\u00a0Astronomical Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe observations were taken as part of Guaranteed Time Observation program 1237<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe James Webb Space Telescope is the world\u2019s 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).<\/em><\/p>\nDownloads<\/h2>\n
Right click any image to save it or open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window via the browser\u2019s popup menu.<\/p>\nView\/Download all image products at all resolutions<\/a><\/strong> for this article from the Space Telescope Science Institute.<\/p>\nView\/Download the research results<\/strong> from the Astronomical\u00a0Journal<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\nMedia Contacts<\/h2>\n
Laura\u00a0Betz<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0laura.e.betz@nasa.gov<\/a>, Rob Gutro<\/strong> \u2013 rob.gutro@nasa.gov<\/a>
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/p>\nChristine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a>, Abigail Major<\/strong> \u2013 amajor@stsci.edu<\/a>
Space Telescope Science Institute<\/a>, Baltimore, Md.<\/p>\nRelated Information<\/h2>\n
Animation Video:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cExploring Star and Planet Formation\u201d<\/a><\/p>\nInteractive<\/strong>:\u00a0Explore the jets emitted by young stars in multiple wavelengths<\/a><\/p>\nVideo<\/strong>: Did You Know: Images of the Milky Way<\/a><\/p>\nProtostars<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nStar Lifecycle<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore Webb News<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore Webb Images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWebb Science Themes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nWebb Mission Page<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\nRelated For Kids<\/h2>\n
What is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nSpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nEn Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n
Ciencia de la NASA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nNASA en espa\u00f1ol\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nSpace Place\u00a0para ni\u00f1os<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nKeep Exploring<\/div>\nRelated Topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, M. Ressler (JPL)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Astronomers have directed NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope to examine the outskirts of our Milky Way galaxy<\/a>. Scientists call this region the Extreme Outer Galaxy due to its location more than 58,000 light-years away from the Galactic Center<\/a>. (For comparison, Earth is approximately 26,000 light-years from the center.)<\/p>\n A team of scientists used Webb\u2019s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera)<\/a> and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument)<\/a> to image select regions within two molecular clouds known as Digel Clouds 1 and 2. With its high degree of sensitivity and sharp resolution, the Webb data resolved these areas, which are hosts to star clusters<\/a> undergoing bursts of star formation<\/a>, in unprecedented detail. Details of this data include components of the clusters such as very young (Class 0) protostars, outflows and jets, and distinctive nebular structures.<\/p>\n These Webb observations, which came from telescope time allocated to Mike Ressler of NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, are enabling scientists to study star formation in the outer Milky Way in the same depth of detail as observations of star formation in our own solar neighborhood.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the past, we knew about these star forming regions but were not able to delve into their properties,\u201d said Natsuko Izumi of Gifu University and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, lead author of the study. \u201cThe Webb data builds upon what we have incrementally gathered over the years from prior observations with different telescopes and observatories. We can get very powerful and impressive images of these clouds with Webb. In the case of Digel Cloud 2, I did not expect to see such active star formation and spectacular jets.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the Digel Clouds are within our galaxy, they are relatively poor in elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. This composition makes them similar to dwarf galaxies<\/a> and our own Milky Way in its early history. Therefore, the team took the opportunity to use Webb to capture the activity occurring in four clusters of young stars within Digel Clouds 1 and 2: 1A, 1B, 2N, and 2S.<\/p>\n For Cloud 2S, Webb captured the main cluster containing young, newly formed stars. This dense area is quite active as several stars are emitting extended jets of material along their poles. Additionally, while scientists previously suspected a sub-cluster might be present within the cloud, Webb\u2019s imaging capabilities confirmed its existence for the first time.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe know from studying other nearby star-forming regions that as stars form during their early life phase, they start emitting jets of material at their poles,\u201d said Ressler, second author of the study and principal investigator of the observing program. \u201cWhat 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. It\u2019s a little bit like a firecracker, where you see things shooting this way and that.\u201d<\/p>\n The Webb imagery skims the surface of the Extreme Outer Galaxy and the Digel Clouds, and is just a starting point for the team. They intend to revisit this outpost in the Milky Way to find answers to a variety of current mysteries, including the relative abundance of stars of various masses within Extreme Outer Galaxy star clusters. This measurement can help astronomers understand how a particular environment can influence different types of stars during their formation.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m interested in continuing to study how star formation is occurring in these regions. By combining data from different observatories and telescopes, we can examine each stage in the evolution process,\u201d said Izumi. \u201cWe also plan to investigate circumstellar disks<\/a> within the Extreme Outer Galaxy. We still don\u2019t know why their lifetimes are shorter than in star-forming regions much closer to us. And of course, I\u2019d like to understand the kinematics of the jets we detected in Cloud 2S.\u201d<\/p>\n Though the story of star formation is complex and some chapters are still shrouded in mystery, Webb is gathering clues and helping astronomers unravel this intricate tale.<\/p>\n These findings have been published in the\u00a0Astronomical Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n The observations were taken as part of Guaranteed Time Observation program 1237<\/a>.<\/p>\n The James Webb Space Telescope is the world\u2019s 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).<\/em><\/p>\n Right click any image to save it or open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window via the browser\u2019s popup menu.<\/p>\n View\/Download all image products at all resolutions<\/a><\/strong> for this article from the Space Telescope Science Institute.<\/p>\n View\/Download the research results<\/strong> from the Astronomical\u00a0Journal<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Laura\u00a0Betz<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0laura.e.betz@nasa.gov<\/a>, Rob Gutro<\/strong> \u2013 rob.gutro@nasa.gov<\/a> Christine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a>, Abigail Major<\/strong> \u2013 amajor@stsci.edu<\/a> Animation Video:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cExploring Star and Planet Formation\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Interactive<\/strong>:\u00a0Explore the jets emitted by young stars in multiple wavelengths<\/a><\/p>\n Video<\/strong>: Did You Know: Images of the Milky Way<\/a><\/p>\n Protostars<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Star Lifecycle<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n More Webb News<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n More Webb Images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Webb Science Themes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Webb Mission Page<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n What is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n SpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Ciencia de la NASA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n NASA en espa\u00f1ol\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Space Place\u00a0para ni\u00f1os<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nImage A: Extreme Outer Galaxy (NIRCam and MIRI)<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>Stars in the Making<\/h2>\n
The Saga of Stars<\/h2>\n
Downloads<\/h2>\n
Media Contacts<\/h2>\n
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/p>\n
Space Telescope Science Institute<\/a>, Baltimore, Md.<\/p>\nRelated Information<\/h2>\n
Related For Kids<\/h2>\n
En Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n
Related Topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n