Hubble and Webb Observe II ZW 96

This video features the chaotic merging galaxies II ZW 96, which have been examined in two distinct wavelengths by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope.

The image shown first was taken by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys and gives a view over the visible-light spectrum of this merger, clearly showing the starburst systems that have formed between the two galactic cores with their older stars. Learn more about this image here.

This view transitions to the new Webb image from the Near-InfraRed Camera instrument, which shines particularly brightly in infrared light. The star-forming regions which have been activated by the galactic tumult are particularly luminous in the infrared, which placed ZW II 96 as one of Webb’s first targets. Learn more about this new image here.