Yes. On a smaller scale, you'd be able to track more drastic changes, but on the galactic scale, the changes would be much harder to register. Regardless, you'd still need long scale of times to register the changes.

From our human perspective, you can think of them as stable, as they will never change in our lifetimes. But from an astrophysical perspective, it's better to say they're not stable and will continue to change and evolve.

Stable is a very relative term in this context. The gaps are thousands of light-years across, and stellar winds move below light speed, so any change they enact will take an extremely long time on human timescales. They will dynamically change, but only when observed on cosmic timescales.

The complex structure of the first image is caused by a combination of gravity pulling and stellar winds pushing at the dust and gas of the galaxy, sculpting it into filaments and webs. (3/3)

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Image Credit (Both images): ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, J. Lee and the PHANGS-JWST and PHANGS-HST Teams

Compare Webb's image of IC 5332 to that taken by Hubble. Hubble sees the world in the visible and ultraviolet spectrums, which reveals a different picture. The interstellar dust of the Webb infrared image is just barely visible as dark patches where the visible and UV light is blocked. (2/3)

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I guess we just don't deserve to live in such a universe.

There's a theory that PAHs could have been the starting material for life here on Earth. If the building blocks of life can be found throughout the universe, what does that imply about life beyond our planet? (3/3)

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The barbecue scent is caused by carbon molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are often caused on Earth by the incomplete combustion of organic matter, such as meat. It turns out PAHs also occur naturally in space and can commonly be found across the universe. (2/3)

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It's my pleasure to share our universe. You're welcome, and thank you.

From Saturn, seeing Earth is a challenge, as it's so relatively close to the Sun. This image was taken when the body of Saturn just barely passed in front of the Sun, blocking its light. ⚛️🧪

Image credit: NASA, ESA, JPL-Caltech, SSI, Cassini Imaging Team; processed by Kevin M. Gill.

We've even managed to create diamonds in a lab using a controlled environment simulating the pressure and temperature 7,000 km below the surface of Neptune.

It just goes to show, what's rare on Earth isn't necessarily rare in the universe.⚛️🧪

These ice giant planets are rich in methane, a molecule containing carbon. Deep down, atmospheric pressures are 100,000 times stronger than Earth’s. This extreme pressure could be enough to both free the carbon and crush it into diamonds. ⚛️🧪

Seeing the whole picture requires multiple cameras to capture different parts of the spectrum and reveal the hidden details within each. The images are then stitched together to create the composite.

Image Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PSU/L. Townsley et al; Optical: UKIRT; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech

I'm not sure if I qualify, but I'd love to be added if I do. I have a bachelor's in astrophysics and a history working in informal astronomy education. Currently, I'm starting an astronomy tour company. I also run a blog on various space-related topics: www.amidthestarstours.com/blog

I have a degree in astrophysics and a lifelong passion for outer space, as well as for sharing everything I've learned. I work in informal astronomy education. I wish to expand my audience by sharing understandable and engaging space-related content.

yes