New image of the Starscream Nebula captures the glow of a dying star – huge
Some nebulae appeared rounded when viewed through early telescopes, leading astronomers in the 18th and 19th centuries to liken them to planets. These so-called planetary nebulae are actually not related to planets and are formed when a star similar to our sun releases large amounts of ionized gas at the end of its life.
In late October, the James Webb Space Telescope’s Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) captured this dramatic and beautiful phase occurring in the Starscream Nebula (NGC 6537).
“After expanding into cool red giants, these stars shed their outer layers and fling them into space, exposing their white-hot cores,” the scientists said. Ultraviolet light from the stars causes materials to glow as they are flung into space. “The planetary nebula phase of a star’s life is both beautiful and short-lived, lasting only a few tens of thousands of years.”
Webb’s latest image of the Starscream Nebula shows the nebula’s wide lobes forming its eponymous “legs,” and suggests hot dust may be orbiting the central star. “While only one star is visible in Starscream’s heart, a hidden companion may also be lurking there,” a statement said. “The stellar companion could explain the nebula’s shape, including its characteristic narrow waist and wide outflows.”
Visit the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope website for more information, where you can explore more images. (via PetaPixel)
