# @europeanspaceagency on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DMljNZztxV9
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35582126-europeanspaceagency-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e35518dbd7.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-07-26T21:50:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** J.L.Lopez (@xandler80) — https://gondola.cc/xandler80

## Caption

Uncovering the powerhouse of a galaxy 🌌

Say hello to Messier 82, also known as the Cigar Galaxy. It’s a small but mighty neighbour in the constellation Ursa Major, located just 12 million light-years away.

Although it’s smaller than the Milky Way, M82 shines five times brighter and forms stars ten times faster. It’s a classic example of a starburst galaxy, where stars form at a dramatically accelerated pace — especially in the central region.

These two new images from esawebb offer a stunning glimpse into the heart of this galactic activity:

- Near-infrared view: This panoramic image pierces through thick clouds of dust to reveal glowing gas, newborn stars and plumes of organic molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These plumes appear to be carried away by powerful winds from young star clusters.

- Mid-infrared view: In this image, the focus shifts to warm dust and soot-like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons molecules. Webb reveals the rich structure of the galaxy’s outflowing gas in remarkable detail, from intricate ridges to cavernous gaps.

What set this galaxy ablaze? Astronomers believe M82 had a close encounter with its larger neighbour, M81. That interaction likely channelled gas into the galaxy’s core, fuelling a dramatic star-forming phase. Today, super star clusters — each holding around 100 000 stars — drive energetic winds that could eventually sweep away the gas needed for future star formation.

M82 is a galaxy in full swing, and Webb is capturing it like never before.

📸 europeanspaceagency / esawebb, nasa, canadianspaceagency, A. Bolatto; creativecommons BY 4.0

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 14,089
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 51

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ESA - European Space Agency | @europeanspaceagency | https://gondola.cc/europeanspaceagency | Government Organization |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Producer |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Editor |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Social Media Manager |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Publisher |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Copywriter |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Community Manager |

---
Copyright (c) Gondola