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This spiral galaxy was observed as part of the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS (PHANGS) programme, a large project that includes observations from several space- and ground-based telescopes of many galaxies to help researchers study all phases of the star formation cycle, from the formation of stars within dusty gas clouds to the energy released in the process that creates the intricate structures revealed by Webb’s new images.
NGC 7496 is 24 million light-years away in the constellation Grus.
Learn more about what can be seen in this vast collection of Webb images here.
[Image description: The central core of Webb’s image of the galaxy NGC 7496 begins as a bright white dot that melts into bright oranges. Eight prominent diffraction spikes emanate from the centre. A bright orange arc that looks like a thin, backward S forms the bar and two of the face-on spiral galaxy’s arms.]