Detecting a mysterious question mark in the universe

On June 26, the European Space Agency (ESA) released a new image taken by the James Webb telescope of the star pair Herbig-Haro 46/47 forming in the Vela Constellation located far from Earth. Soil is about 1,470 light years. Surprisingly, there is a big red question mark (?) in the photo.

Although it is not clear what this 'question mark' is, but based on its shape and color, the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which runs the Webb telescope project, thinks it may be possible. are two (or more) interacting galaxies.

According to Associate Professor Matt Caplan of Illinois State University, the strange question mark in that universe could be an image of two galaxies merging, with the upper part of the question mark indicating a galaxy being destroyed. stretch out.

The question mark is not a star, he added, because it does not shine like stars that have been observed.

According to STScI, based on the color of this object, it can be inferred that it is located very far from Earth, possibly up to billions of light years. And this is the first 'question mark' discovered by astronomy. Therefore, scientists will have to make further observations to be able to confirm what this strange object is.

James Webb is the world's most powerful space telescope developed to explore the early universe and the habitability of nearby worlds. To date, data from JWST has been used in more than 750 (approved) research reports.

Kareem Winters

Update 09 August 2023