Messier 104 (M104) earned its nickname, the Sombrero Galaxy, because of its unique shape: a bright central nucleus surrounded by a thick disk of matter that resembles the brim of a sombrero. Previously, the Hubble Space Telescope showed a sharp optical view of the galaxy. Now, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has turned its powerful instruments toward M104, delivering a fresh perspective.
The JWST’s new image. The space agencies responsible for operating the JWST have released a new image taken by its instruments. The image shows the galaxy Messier 104 in the mid-infrared as never seen before.
Meet Messier 104. Located in the Virgo constellation, M104 is home to a supermassive black hole at its core—estimated to be 9 billion times the mass of our Sun.
Despite this colossal powerhouse, the galaxy’s nucleus is relatively “docile,” engulfing matter at a slow pace and emitting dim jets compared to more active galactic nuclei.
The Sombrero Galaxy is also rich in globular clusters, hosting about 2,000 of these star groups. These clusters provide astronomers with invaluable data, as they contain stars of the same age but varying masses and luminosities, allowing researchers to better understand stellar evolution.
A telescope in high demand. Given the interest in this galaxy, it’s unsurprising that the scientific community asked JWST operators to focus their instruments on M104. The result is the new image of the Sombrero Galaxy.
The JWST, the most advanced space telescope ever built, has become a vital tool for astronomers worldwide. With a packed schedule and high demand for observation time, every image it produces is a result of strategic prioritization by the global scientific community.
JWST's mid-infrared image of Messier 104, the Sombrero Galaxy. Image | NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
A different view. Using its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), the JWST captured an extraordinary view of M104. This new image reveals intricate details in the mid-infrared spectrum, offering insights into the galaxy’s structure and composition that were previously hidden.
According to researchers, the image showcases not just the Sombrero Galaxy itself but also a dazzling backdrop of distant, colorful galaxies scattered throughout the cosmic landscape. The mid-infrared view is particularly valuable because it allows astronomers to discern certain properties of the galaxies, including their distances and compositions.
Unveiling hidden details. The JWST team points out that capturing such data requires meticulous work. The telescope’s instruments operate in the infrared, invisible to the human eye, so scientists carefully adjust the captured data into the visible spectrum to create the final image.
MIRI’s advanced imaging capabilities have also uncovered evidence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—molecules associated with regions where new stars are forming. Although M104 isn’t a particularly active star-forming galaxy, its rings still generate about one solar mass of new stars annually, roughly half the rate of the Milky Way.
Images | NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
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