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Webb’s First Deep Field (MIRI and NIRCam Side-by-Side Compass Image)
Image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723, affectionately known as Webb’s First Deep Field, captured by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), with compass arrows and color key for reference.
The north and east compass arrows show the orientation of the image on the sky. Note that the relationship between north and east on the sky (as seen from below) is flipped relative to direction arrows on a map of the ground (as seen from above).
This image shows invisible near- and mid-infrared wavelengths of light that have been translated into visible-light colors. The color key shows which NIRCam and MIRI filters were used when collecting the light. The color of each filter name is the visible light color used to represent the infrared light that passes through that filter.
Because this is a deep field that shows objects at various distances and magnifications, there is no scale bar.
Extended Description and Image Alt Text
Extended Description
Image titled “NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope; Deep Field SMACS 0723,” with compass arrows, scale bar, and color key.
Image
This frame is split down the middle. Webb’s mid-infrared image is shown at left, and Webb’s near-infrared image on the right. The background of space is black in both images.
The mid-infrared image appears much darker, with many fewer points of light. Stars have very short diffraction spikes. Galaxies and stars also appear in a range of colors, including blue, green, yellow, and red. The galaxies are less focused and more blobby than what is seen in the near-infrared view.
The near-infrared image appears busier, with many more points of light. Thousands of galaxies and stars appear all across the view. They are sharper and more distinct than what is seen in the mid-infrared view. Some galaxies are shades of orange, while others are white. Most stars appear blue with long diffraction spikes, forming eight-pointed star shapes. There are also many thin, long, orange arcs that curve around the center of the image.
Some objects, like the bright stars, galaxies, and arcs appear in both images at the same locations. Other objects are only visible in one view.
Compass Arrows, Scale Bar, and Color Key
At the bottom left are compass arrows indicating the orientation of the image on the sky. The north arrow points in the 11 o’clock direction. The east arrow points toward 8 o’clock. Below the image is a color key showing which MIRI and NIRCam filters were used to create the image and which visible-light color is assigned to each filter. MIRI Filters from left to right: F770W is blue; F1000W is green; F1500W is yellow; F1800W is red. NIRCam Filters from left to right: F090W is blue; F150W is blue; F200W is green; F277W is green; F356W is orange; F444W is red. Because this is a deep field image showing objects at many different distances and scales, there is no scale bar.
Image Alt Text
Mid-infrared and near-infrared images of the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 shown side by side, with compass arrows and color scale.
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.07:23:19.5
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.-73:27:15.6
- ConstellationConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.Volans
- DistanceDistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.Redshift of cluster is z=0.39 (about 4.24 billion light-years)
- DimensionsDimensionsThe physical size of the object or the apparent angle it subtends on the sky.Image is about 2.4 arcmin across
About the Data
- Data DescriptionData DescriptionProposal: A description of the observations, their scientific justification, and the links to the data available in the science archive.
Science Team: The astronomers who planned the observations and analyzed the data. "PI" refers to the Principal Investigator.This image was created with Webb data from proposal 2736. It is part of Webb Early Release Observations.
The Early Release Observations and associated materials were developed, executed, and compiled by the ERO production team:
Jaclyn Barrientes, Claire Blome, Hannah Braun, Matthew Brown, Margaret Carruthers, Dan Coe, Joseph DePasquale, Nestor Espinoza, Macarena Garcia Marin, Karl Gordon, Alaina Henry, Leah Hustak, Andi James, Ann Jenkins, Anton Koekemoer, Stephanie LaMassa, David Law, Alexandra Lockwood, Amaya Moro-Martin, Susan Mullally, Alyssa Pagan, Dani Player, Klaus Pontoppidan, Charles Proffitt, Christine Pulliam, Leah Ramsay, Swara Ravindranath, Neill Reid, Massimo Robberto, Elena Sabbi, Leonardo Ubeda.
The EROs were also made possible by the foundational efforts and support from the JWST instruments, STScI planning and scheduling, Data Management teams, and Office of Public Outreach.
- InstrumentInstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.MIRI, NIRCam
- Exposure DatesExposure DatesThe date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time.MIRI: 13 June 2022; NIRCam: 7 June 2022
- FiltersFiltersThe camera filters that were used in the science observations.MIRI>F770W, F1130W, F1280W, F1800W NIRCam>F090W, F150W, F200W, F277W, F356W, F444W
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.SMACS 0723-73 (1RXS J072319.7-732735, SMACSJ0723.3-7327)
- Object DescriptionObject DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.Lensing Galaxy Cluster
- Release DateJuly 12, 2022
- Science ReleaseNASA’s Webb Delivers Deepest Infrared Image of Universe Yet
- CreditImage: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
These images are a composite of separate exposures acquired by the James Webb Space Telescope using the MIRI and NIRCam instruments. Several filters were used to sample broad wavelength ranges. The color results from assigning different hues (colors) to each monochromatic (grayscale) image associated with an individual filter. In this case, the assigned colors are: MIRI: Red: F1280W + F1800W Green: F1130W Blue: F770W NIRCam: Red: F444W Orange: F356W Green: F200W +F277W Blue: F090W + F150W
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Laura Betz
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
laura.e.betz@nasa.gov
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
