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Strange, when I compare the two images of Stephan's Quintet [1], it appears much more "progressed" in the new WEBB image [2]. But that should be impossible.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stephan%27s_Quintet_Hubbl... [2]: https://johnedchristensen.github.io/WebbCompare/img/Stephans...

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Overlaying them, it seems the JWST images have brighter galaxy edges and gas. This makes the galaxies look bigger, which in turn could make it appear as if the galaxies are closer together. Is that what you mean with 'progressed'?

Yes, I think you're right - also, the linked HUBBLE image from wikipedia is rotated a bit, which increases the effect that two of the 5 galaxies appear to be closer together in the WEBB image.

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