tech
Webb reveals a planetary nebula with phenomenal clarity, and it is spectacular
The colors show the star’s final breath transforming into the raw ingredients for new worlds.
TL;DR
- The Helix Nebula is a well-known planetary nebula, often photographed for its resemblance to the "Eye of Sauron."
- It is located approximately 655 light-years from our Solar System.
- Planetary nebulae are formed by stars like our Sun shedding gas shells near the end of their lives.
- The James Webb Space Telescope has captured new images of the Helix Nebula.
- These images show vibrant pillars of gas along the inner region of the nebula's expanding shell.
- A white dwarf star at the heart of the nebula emits radiation that lights up the surrounding gas.
- The colors in the Webb image indicate gas temperature and chemistry, with blue being the hottest gas and red the coolest.
- This interaction is seen as the raw material from which new planets may form in other star systems.