2023-08-14 13:45:19
The Messier 57 (M57) Nebula, also popularly known as the “Ring Nebula,” was born from a dying star that ejected its outer layers into space. For many sky enthusiasts, the Ring Nebula, located some 2,600 light-years away from Earth, is one of the best-known astronomical objects in the Lyra constellation.
What makes this and other planetary nebulae (named for their spherical shape) truly impressive when viewed clearly enough is their great diversity of shapes and patterns, often including delicate glowing rings, expanding bubbles, or intricate clouds.
These patterns are the consequence of the complex interaction of different physical processes that are not yet well understood. Light from the hot central star now illuminates these layers.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured the most detailed images to date of the nebula. A team of scientists has thoroughly analyzed them. Among the new details observed, several hundred elongated structures stand out, like threads, pointing to the central star.
The origin of these filamentous structures is not clear.
The research was carried out by an international team of astronomers including, among others, Albert Zijlstra of the University of Manchester in the UK, Mike Barlow of University College London in the UK and Nick Cox of ACRI-ST in France. The team also includes scientists from Canada, the United States, Sweden, Spain, Brazil, Ireland and Belgium.
Close-up of the southern part of the outer halo, the outer part of the nebula’s main ring. Many filamentous structures can be seen pointing roughly to the central star. (Photo: The University of Manchester/NASA/ESA/CSA)
The high-resolution images not only show the intricate details of the nebula’s expanding shell, but also reveal the inner region around the central white dwarf with stunning clarity. “We are witnessing the final chapters in the life of a star, a preview of the Sun’s distant future, if you will, and the JWST observations have opened a new window to better understand these impressive cosmic events. We can use the Ring Nebula as our laboratory to study how planetary nebulae form and evolve,” Barlow explains.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the result of an international collaboration led by NASA, ESA and CSA, respectively the US, European and Canadian space agencies. (Source: NCYT from Amazings)
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