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Explanation: Sometimes where Hubble finds darkness, Webb sees light. An example is todayÁs composite images of Messier 64 (M64), a nearby spiral galaxy of many names. The dark band of dust partially blocking its bright core earned it the moniker Áthe Black Eye Galaxy.Á WebbÁs Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) sees that dust, shown in red, as it absorbs and re-emits light from surrounding newborn stars. These young stars are embedded in pink star-forming regions in the secondary Hubble-only image. M64Ás inner and outer gas regions counter-rotate, creating regions of increased star formation where the two gas ÁcurrentsÁ meet and compress. A merger between M64 and a smaller galaxy was likely the cause of the opposing motion of the outer gas. Spiral galaxies were once thought to have peaceful histories. M64 was key evidence that spiral galaxies, including the Milky Way, can and do experience mergers. WebbÁs view of M64 will tell astronomers about the structure, motion, and composition of the galaxyÁs dust and add context to the galaxyÁs merger history and evolution.
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
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Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: spiral galaxy - M 64
Publications with words: spiral galaxy - M 64
See also:
- APOD: 2026 September 11 Á M83: The Southern Pinwheel
- APOD: 2026 August 30 Á M74: A Grand Design Spiral
- NGC 300: A Cosmic Gemstone with Stars and Gas Clouds
- APOD: 2026 May 29 Á Messier 104
- APOD: 2026 April 5 Á NGC 3310: A Starburst Spiral Galaxy
- APOD: 2026 March 16 Á NGC 1566: The Spanish Dancer Galaxy
- Webb and Hubble: IC 5332