NASA’s Webb Probes an Extreme Starburst Galaxy

A team of astronomers has used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to survey the starburst galaxy Messier 82 (M82). Located 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, this galaxy is relatively compact in size but hosts a frenzy of star formation activity. For comparison, M82 is sprouting new stars 10 times faster than the Milky Way galaxy. Using Webb to Inspect the activity in galaxies like these can deepen astronomers’ understanding of the early universe by getting a closer look at the physical conditions that foster the formation of new stars. Read more: For more information about Webb, visit Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Paul Morris: Lead Producer Isabelle Yan: Producer Dr. Stefanie N Milam: Voiceover Thaddeus Cesari: Script Abigail Major, STScI: Script Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI Music Credit: “A Simpler Time“ by Oskari Nurminen [ASCAP] via Universal Publishing Prod. Music Nordic [STIM], and Universal Production Music. Video Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center This video can be freely shared and downloaded at While the video in its entirety can be shared without permission, the music and some individual imagery may have been obtained through permission and may not be excised or remixed in other products. Specific details on such imagery may be found here: For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit Follow NASA’s Webb Space Telescope: · Facebook: · X: · Instagram: · Flickr: --- If you liked this video, subscribe to the NASA Webb Telescope YouTube channel: @NASAWebbTelescope/featured