                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2023 August 29
    Spiral galaxy M66 is shown in infrared light as seen by the orbiting
      James Webb Space Telescope. A reddish-brown center is seen in the
       galaxy with a blue-colored spiral arms surrounding it. A close
     inspection will reveal that these spiral arms are not symmetrical.
          Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                     Unusual Spiral Galaxy M66 from Webb
       Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, JWST; Processing: Brian Tomlinson

   Explanation: Why isn't spiral galaxy M66 symmetric? Usually, density
   waves of gas, dust, and newly formed stars circle a spiral galaxy's
   center and create a nearly symmetric galaxy. The differences between
   M66's spiral arms and the apparent displacement of its nucleus are all
   likely caused by previous close interactions and the tidal
   gravitational pulls of nearby galaxy neighbors M65 and NGC 3628. The
   galaxy, featured here in infrared light taken by the James Webb Space
   Telescope, spans about 100,000 light years, lies about 35 million light
   years distant, and is the largest galaxy in a group known as the Leo
   Triplet. Like many spiral galaxies, the long and intricate dust lanes
   of M66 are seen intertwined with the bright stars and intergalactic
   dust that follow the spiral arms.

                       Tomorrow's picture: open space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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