Hubble & Webb Zero In on the Pinwheel Galaxy

NASA, CSA, ESA, D. Calzetti (University of Massachusetts – Amherst), C. Clark (Space Telescope Science Institute – ESA – JWST), K. Kuntz (The John Hopkins University), and B. Shappee (University of Hawaii); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

Captured on March 16, 2026, this stunning view from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope alongside the James Webb Space Telescope zooms in on the heart of Messier 101, better known as the Pinwheel Galaxy. Sitting about 25 million light-years from Earth, M101 is one of the nearest spiral galaxies we can see face-on, giving astronomers a clear, detailed look at its structure. Using Hubble’s ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared observations, scientists are digging deeper into the galaxy’s makeup, studying both its stellar population and the way it’s built.

What makes this view even more impressive is the combination of data from two of NASA’s most powerful telescopes, offering a richer, more layered look at this cosmic neighbor. Together, they help reveal everything from young, bright stars to older, cooler regions that are usually harder to detect.