In this stunning new image published by the European Southern Observatory, the Messier 66 (M66) galaxy’s unique spiral emits golden and purple gas.
The Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) used a variety of different wavelength to differentiate among chemical components in the galaxy and obtain the vibrant result.
This Picture of the Week showcases the impressive NGC 3627 galaxy, also known as Messier 66, located approximately 31 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo. But what is the purple haze?
Find out: 🔗 https://t.co/rG0AbZNTma
Credit: @ESO /PHANGS pic.twitter.com/nz6cGq06NH
— ESO (@ESO) May 2, 2022
Observations of young stars have shown a variety of gases ionized by them, including oxygen, hydrogen, and sulphur. ESO published the picture on May 2. The image employs a one-of-a-kind cosmic colour palette, with blue representing ionised oxygen, red representing hydrogen, and orange representing sulphur.
Stars form as a result of the ionization of molecules of gas underlying them, which loses or gains electrons. The vibrant colours that illuminate this image indicate in which these cosmic newborns are most likely to be found.
The M66 galaxy, also recognised as NGC 3627, is more frequently represented to showcase its star configuration. It is situated 31 million light-years from Earth. Despite the picture’s focus on tracing ionised gas, the asymmetry spiral arms of the M66 galaxy remain prominent.
The galaxy’s off-center core, defined by the picture’s dark purple hues, and non-uniform framework are thought to be the result of engagement with nearby galaxies.
This image was created as a result of observational data created as part of the Physics at High Angular Resolution in Nearby Galaxies (PHANGS) project. The goal of this project was to study how each aspects most influence star formation by noticing the galaxy with telescopes that functioned at all wavelengths.