"JWST Captures Surprising Past of a Fiery Spiral Galaxy in Dual Hubble-Webb Images"

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a stunning image of NGC 3256, a spiral galaxy with a violent past resulting from a collision and merger between two galaxies. The image reveals long tails of material pulled out during the gravitational dance of the galaxies, as well as intense star formation. JWST's infrared capabilities allow it to detect star formation obscured by dust clouds, making NGC 3256 a starburst galaxy. The galaxy is still in the process of merging and provides a unique opportunity to study the evolution of colossal galactic mergers.