Using data from JWST and Chandra, astronomers mapped the distribution of visible matter, hot gas, and dark matter, finding that dark matter remained intact during the collision while hot gas was pulled out and left behind.

Galaxy clusters like the Bullet Cluster act as gravitational lenses, magnifying distant objects, and their collisions enhance these lensing effects, providing valuable insights into dark matter and hot gas within the clusters.

Located 3.7 billion light-years away in the constellation Carina, the Bullet Cluster resulted from a collision between two galaxy clusters that began approximately 150 million years ago.

A newly released detailed image of the Bullet Cluster, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Chandra X-ray Observatory, reveals previously unknown structures, suggesting the cluster has experienced multiple collisions over billions of years, indicating a complex and chaotic history.

This striking image was shared on June 30, 2025, showcasing the combined capabilities of JWST and Chandra in studying the Bullet Cluster.

Future observations with NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope are anticipated to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the Bullet Cluster’s structure and evolutionary history.