These two galaxies are rushing towards each other in a process known as galaxy mergers; their collision set off a frenzied wave of star formation known as starburst creating new stars at a rate more than twenty times greater than that of the Milky Way, explains the European Space Agency (ESA) on its website.

This system is particularly bright at infrared wavelengths, which makes it “a perfect testing ground” for Webb’s ability to study luminous galaxiesand it is possible that these merging galaxies are forming a supermassive black hole.

To capture this new image, the James Webb Telescope’s MIRI, NIRSpec and NIRCam instruments were used.

Thanks to this, a large amount of data has been obtained that will allow the astronomical community to fully explore how “unprecedented capabilities” du Webb will help unravel the complex interactions in galactic ecosystems, says ESA, which, together with US space agency NASA and Canada’s CSA, made this telescope possible.

The merger of these two galaxies has long been of interest to astronomers, and the system has already been observed by Hubble and other space telescopes.

The “precious data” which have now been reached had been blocked by a thick layer of dust for telescopes like Hubble; Webb’s infrared sensitivity and “impressive resolution” at these wavelengths made it possible to see past the dust.

“This resulted in the spectacular image”, the data of which was published in the Astrophysical Journal.