Image of two interacting dwarf galaxies emerges as Webb’s Picture of the Month

A conceptual image of the James Webb Space Telescope (Image source: NASA)

The ESA/Webb Picture of the Month is a region where two dwarf galaxies (NGC 4490 and NGC 4485) appear to be in a gravitational dance. Webb’s observation of these galaxies is providing insight into how dwarf galaxies interact.

Chibuike Okpara, Published 12/05/2025

Astronomy / Space Science

NGC 4490 and NGC 4485 are dwarf companion galaxies located about 24 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs). These galaxies are connected by a wispy bridge of gas. The connecting gas bridge formed roughly 200 million years ago. During that time, the galaxies wandered close to each other, and NGC 4490 drew and trapped a stream of gas from its dwarf companion.

Star formation then started to take place along the gas bridge. The gas in the bridge became dense enough to host the birth of new stars. More recently, just 30 million years ago, new star clusters formed within the gas bridge. These young star clusters glow bright blue in this image.

Scientists were able to understand the timeline of the galaxies’ interaction thanks to Webb’s observation. Webb utilized its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to make the observation. Data from the NIRCam, MIRI, and a single narrow-band filter from Hubble (657N) were used to produce the displayed image.

In the image, the larger galaxy, which is located on the left, is NGC 4490. NGC 4485 is the smaller galaxy located at the top-right of the image. A bright stream of red gas joins the two galaxies.

This Webb observation is part of the Feedback in Emerging extrAgalactic Star clusTers (FEAST) program (#1783). It aims to uncover the once-hidden history between NGC 4490 and NGC 4485.

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Source(s)

ESA and FEAST

Image source: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Adamo (Stockholm University), G. Bortolini, and the FEAST JWST team

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Chibuike Okpara - Tech Writer - 305 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024

I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, "Why not get into writing tech articles?" It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a 'bookworm' of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.

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