Zoom into NGC 602

This video takes the viewer to a satellite galaxy roughly 200,000 light-years from Earth, featuring the young star cluster NGC 602. This new Webb image includes data from Webb’s NIRCam (Near-InfraRed Camera) and MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument).

The local environment of this cluster is a close analogue of what existed in the early Universe, with very low abundances of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. The existence of dark clouds of dense dust and the fact that the cluster is rich in ionised gas also suggest the presence of ongoing star formation processes. This cluster provides a valuable opportunity to examine star formation scenarios under dramatically different conditions from those in the solar neighbourhood.

Credit:
ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, P. Zeidler, E. Sabbi, A. Nota, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb), N. Bartmann (ESA/Webb)
Music: Tonelabs – The Red North (www.tonelabs.com)