Messier 77: Stunning image shows spiral galaxy’s brilliant heart shining bright

Messier 77 is a barred spiral galaxy much appreciated by astronomers for its combination of relative proximity and spectacular features to study. Picture: Nasa/AP

A spiral galaxy’s brilliant heart outshines everything within sight in a new picture from Nasa’s Webb Space Telescope.

The image depicts the Messier 77 galaxy 45 million light-years away in the Cetus, or whale, constellation.