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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Barry Petchesky

The graceful winding arms of the grand-design spiral galaxy M51 stretch across this image from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Unlike the menagerie of weird and wonderful spiral galaxies with ragged or disrupted spiral arms, grand-design spiral galaxies boast prominent, well-developed spiral arms like the ones showcased in this image. This galactic portrait was captured by Webb’s Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI). In this image the reprocessed stellar light by dust grains and molecules in the medium of the galaxy illuminate a dramatic filamentary medium. Empty cavities and bright filaments alternate and give the impression of ripples propagating from the spiral arms. The yellow compact regions indicate the newly formed star clusters in the galaxy. M51 — also known as NGC 5194 — lies about 27 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici, and is trapped in a tumultuous relationship with its near neighbour, the dwarf galaxy NGC 5195. The interaction between these two galaxies has made these galactic neighbours one of the better-studied galaxy pairs in the night sky. The gravitational influence of M51’s smaller companion is thought to be partially responsible for the stately nature of the galaxy’s prominent and distinct spiral arms. If you would like to learn more about this squabbling pair of galactic neighbours, you can explore earlier observations of M51 by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope here.  This Webb observation of M51 is one of a series of observations collectively titled Feedback in Emerging extrAgalactic Star clusTers, or FEAST. The FEAST observations were designed to shed light on the interplay between stellar feedback and star formation in environments outside of our own galaxy, the Milky Way. Stellar feedback is the term used to describe the outpouring of energy from stars into the environments which form them, and is a crucial process in determining the rates at which stars form. Understanding stellar feedback is vital to building accurate universal models of star formation. The aim of the FEAST observations is to discover and study stellar nurseries in galaxies beyond our own Milky Way. Before Webb became operative, other observatories such as the Atacama Large Millimetre Array in the Chilean desert and Hubble have given us a glimpse of star formation either at the onset (tracing the dense gas and dust clouds where stars will form) or after the stars have destroyed with their energy their natal gas and dust clouds. Webb is opening a new window into the early stages of star formation and stellar light, as well as the energy reprocessing of gas and dust. Scientists are seeing star clusters emerging from their natal cloud in galaxies beyond our local group for the first time. They will also be able to measure how long it takes for these stars to pollute with newly formed metals and to clean out the gas (these time scales are different from galaxy to galaxy). By studying these processes, we will better understand how the star formation cycle and metal enrichment are regulated within galaxies as well as what are the time scales for planets and brown dwarfs to form. Once dust and gas is removed from the newly formed stars, there is no material left to form planets. [Image Description: A large spiral galaxy takes up the entirety of the image. The core is mostly bright white, but there are also swirling, detailed structures that resemble water circling a drain. There is white and pale blue light that emanates from stars and dust at the core’s centre, but it is tightly limited to the core. The detailed rings feature bands of deep orange and cloudy grey, which are interspersed by darker empty regions throughout.]

Science

Fall Into The Whirlpool Galaxy

Ray Ratto

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: Owner James Dolan (L) and head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks attend the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center on July 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

James Dolan Grudges Aren’t What They Used To Be

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Georgia Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton (2) tosses oranges to teammates following the Capital One Orange Bowl game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

College Football

Everyone Got The Orange Bowl They Deserved

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons smiles after the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 30, 2023 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Pistons Are On A Winning Streak

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions reacts to a penalty during a two point conversion attempt against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter in the game at AT&amp;T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Dan Campbell Can’t Help Himself


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

A blue-green iridescent wasp with a pointy pointy rear

Creaturefector

The Year In Parasitic Wasps

Defector Staff

The Holy Family. Found in the collection of Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona.

Year In Review

What Our Families Thought Of Defector In 2023


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 28: Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Joe Flacco Went From His Couch To The Playoffs

Kelsey McKinney

A photo of the painting Lady at the Piano' by Felix Valloton, from 1904.

Life Lessons

Learning To Play Piano When There Is No Recital

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 19: The Detroit Pistons mascot, Hooper, walks the stands during the game against the Miami Heat on December 19, 2021 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

They Confiscated A Pistons Home Game And No One Seems To Care

Soraya Roberts

The Patti Smith Group pose for portraits, (L-R) Lenny Kaye, Richard Sohl, Patti Smith, Ivan Kral and Jay Dee Daugherty, in May 1976 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Make Space For The Artist

Israel Daramola

Arts And Culture

Does It Matter If Adam Driver Is A Bad Actor?

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Monty Williams watches his Pistons lose again.

The Pistons Are So Good At Losing

Giri Nathan

Patrick Redford

This Is So Stupid

The Jalen Williams-Jaylin Williams Power Rankings: A New Contender Rises

The Best Things We Ate In 2023

A Marcus Rashford kit that says "Rahford."

Capital

Fanatics Ruined Christmas

Photo of two pages of an Italian illustrated chess manual from the 15th century, located at the Gorizia, Fondazione Palazzo Coronini Cronberg

When Your Best Move Is Embracing Loser Mindset

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<div>Victoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. Her debut novel, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0sXpgNMmxpIwmIZOFd-Pnw">One of the Boys</a></i>, is out now. Her personal website can be found <a href="http://victoria.monster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://victoria.monster&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PrZ7PkO1IykxAodWoMLI_">here</a>.</div>
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Victoria Zeller

Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills visits on set of the Amazon Prime TNF postgame show after an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.

Jamboroo

It’s All Worth It For 17

Alexandar Georgiev Has Room For Improvement In The Art Of The Goalie Tantrum

Billy Haisley

Malo Gusto of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on December 27, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

Soccer

Chelsea Is Neither Here Nor There

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 29: Denver Broncos Head coach Sean Payton, left, talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High on October 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 24 to 9 during week 8 of the NFL regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Real Power Is Incinerating Your Boss’s Money

Presenting The 2023 Shams Charania Award For Excellence In Divulging Of Information Through Syntax Comprehended By Many

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos passes during the 1st quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field At Mile High on December 24, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

The Broncos Seem Done With Russell Wilson

Packers Suspend Jaire Alexander For Must-Win Game Because He Fucked Up A Coin Toss

Luis Paez-Pumar

Canada - Montreal circa 1959, man grilling, BBQ with the family