This
blotch of green and red represents the most active star-making galaxy in the
distant universe, as seen by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope.
The
“Baby Boom” galaxy turns out up to 4,000 stars per year, or more than 10 times what
the Milky Way galaxy produces. Several telescopes, including Spitzer and
Japan’s Subaru Telescope in Hawaii, caught glimpses of the star-making frenzy.
Green (visible light) shows gas, while blue (visible light) marks galaxies in
the foreground that do not produce as many stars. Yellow/orange (near-infrared
light) represents starlight from the outer part of Baby Boom. The red blob to
the left is yet another foreground galaxy.
Baby
Boom stands as an example of starburst galaxies, which form from colliding
galaxies. The intergalactic pileup results in compressed and heated gas that
sets off a spate of star-birthing.
— NASA/JPL-Caltech/Subaru and SPACE.com
Staff
Credit:
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Subaru
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