The Penguin and the Egg galaxies have been captured in a family portrait by the James Webb Space Telescope, revealing more details than ever before. These two interacting galaxies, also known as NGC 2936 and NGC 2937, have been observed in a new image released by NASA, showing the Penguin galaxy towering over the Egg galaxy.
The James Webb Space Telescope has provided insights into the early universe and opened up new possibilities for studying distant worlds. Mark Clampin, director of NASA’s astrophysics division, highlighted the importance of this new image and how it inspires people around the world to ask new questions about the cosmos.
Despite their playful nicknames, the Penguin and the Egg galaxies are actually serious celestial bodies with different characteristics. The Egg galaxy, a compact elliptical galaxy, is filled with aging stars, while the Penguin galaxy, a spiral galaxy, is rich with newly-formed hot stars. Over millions of years, the Egg has distorted the shape of the Penguin, leading to a cosmic dance that has generated new stars in the process.
Even though the Penguin and the Egg galaxies look different, they have roughly the same mass and are relatively close together in galactic terms. They are expected to merge into one object in the future due to their proximity and gravitational interactions. Known collectively as Arp 142, these galaxies continue to fascinate scientists and space enthusiasts alike with their unique dynamics and evolution in the vastness of space.
