Out of This World: Astronomers Discover 'Jellyfish Galaxy' With Star-Forming Tentacles

Astronomers have discovered a stunning new galactic phenomenon: a "jellyfish" galaxy with long tentacles of star-forming gas extending out into space. The galaxy is located 800 million light-years away. Like the ancients naming constellations after the animals they resembled, scientists at the European Space Agency say they have found a galactic ‘jellyfish.’The presence of star-forming gas dripping from the disk of the galaxy JW100 in long streamers, over 800 million light-years away in the constellation Pegasus, was detected by the Hubble Space Telescope. Launched more than 20 years ago, the Hubble Space Telescope is still in good working order thanks to its placement in Earth’s orbit. The gas in the tentacles is forming new stars at a rapid rate, providing astronomers with an opportunity to study the process of star formation in detail. By observing the jellyfish galaxy, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of how galaxies evolve and how they form new stars. As scientists continue to study and explore the jellyfish galaxy, they are likely to uncover new insights into the process of star formation and the evolution of galaxies. The discovery reminds us of the vastness and wonder of the universe, and the endless opportunities for discovery and exploration that lie ahead.