Combining Alpha-H data in this week's Hubble Space Telescope image reveals supernova remnants and planetary nebulae along the arms; PHANGS-HST scanned 19 nearby galaxies to catalog over 50,000 nebulae and understand stellar life cycles
The Hubble Space Telescope has released its latest image of the week, showing a stunning new view of a nearby spiral galaxy. The galaxy, named NGC 2835, is located about 35 million light-years away in the Hydra (Water Serpent) constellation.
Hubble has photographed it before, including in images released in 2020, and the Webb Space Telescope has also viewed it since. At first glance, the new image doesn't look dramatically different from previous images. The galaxy's graceful arms still curl around a bright elliptical center filled with old stars, while younger, bluer stars twinkle along the arms.
New details are revealed through alpha light.H
What sets this new image apart is the addition of data that captures a specific wavelength of red light called alpha-H. This allows astronomers to highlight regions glowing with alpha-H emission along the galaxy’s spiral arms. There, bright pink nebulae shine like blossoms scattered throughout the galaxy. Alpha-H light is especially important to researchers because it reveals different types of nebulae associated with different stages in a star’s life. Newly formed massive stars light up glowing H II regions, while the final actions of dying stars leave behind supernova remnants or planetary nebulae, all of which can be detected by their alpha-H signature.
Using this capability, Hubble is scanning 19 nearby galaxies with the goal of cataloging more than 50,000 nebulae. This extensive activity will help scientists better understand how stars interact with their environment and how they shape it through their intense radiation and stellar winds.
to the announcement of the European Space Agency
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