It’s a breathtaking image that shows a glimpse of what our sun could look like when it dies.
The image, taken by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), reveals the intricate and ethereal beauty of the iconic Ring Nebula in never-before-seen detail.
Also known as Messier 57, this mesmerizing object is located about 2,600 light-years away from Earth and was born from the remains of a dying star.
It is this expulsion of stellar material that gives the cosmic masterpiece its distinct structure and vibrant colors.
Like fireworks, different chemical elements in the nebula emit light with specific colors. This then results in beautiful and colorful objects, allowing astronomers to study the chemical evolution of these objects in detail.
Wow: This breathtaking image of the iconic Ring Nebula offers a glimpse of what our sun could look like when it dies
A close-up of part of the nebula shows that the ring is made up of large numbers of small clumps. They contain molecular hydrogen and are much cooler and denser than the rest of the nebula. Some of the clumps are beginning to develop tails (bottom right), behaving like planet-sized comets
The hope is that experts will provide the new JWST images an unparalleled opportunity to study and understand the complex processes that have formed the Ring Nebula.
Located in the constellation of Lyra, the object is popular among stargazers because even a small telescope will reveal the Ring Nebula’s “doughnut-like” structure of glowing gas that gave it its name.
Albert Zijlstra, professor of astrophysics at the University of Manchester, said: ‘We are amazed at the detail in the images, better than we have ever seen before.
“We always knew that planetary nebulae were beautiful. What we are seeing now is spectacular.’
Dr. Mike Barlow, the chief scientist of the JWST Ring Nebula Project, added: “The James Webb Space Telescope has given us an extraordinary view of the Ring Nebula that we have never seen before.
“The high-resolution images not only reveal the intricate details of the nebula’s expanding shell, but also reveal the inner region around the central white dwarf in exquisite clarity.
“We are witnessing the final chapters of a star’s life, a preview of the sun’s distant future so to speak, and JWST’s observations have opened a new window for understanding these awe-inspiring cosmic events.
“We can use the Ring Nebula as our laboratory to study how planetary nebulae form and evolve.”
What makes planetary nebulae like Messier 57 so fascinating is their variety of shapes and patterns.
These often include delicate, glowing rings, expanding bubbles, or intricate, wispy clouds.
Fascinating: The image, taken by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), reveals the intricate and ethereal beauty of the iconic Ring Nebula in never-before-seen detail
Unprecedented Detail: This image shows a close-up view of the southern portion of the nebula’s outer halo, just outside the main ring. Thousands of distant galaxies are visible in the background, some with a distinct spiral structure
The hope is that the new JWST images will provide experts with an unparalleled opportunity to study and understand the complex processes that have formed the Ring Nebula.
The patterns result from the complex interplay of several physical processes that are not yet well understood.
Dr. Nick Cox, the co-lead scientist, said: ‘These images have more than just aesthetic appeal; they provide a wealth of scientific insights into the processes of stellar evolution.
“By studying the Ring Nebula with JWST, we hope to gain a better understanding of the life cycles of stars and the elements they release into the cosmos.”
The images were released today by an international team of astronomers led by Professor Barlow, Dr. Cox and Professor Zijlstra.
Parts of the Nebula: What makes planetary nebulae like Messier 57 so fascinating is their variety of shapes and patterns
Webb launched from French Guiana on Christmas Day 2021 with the aim of looking back in time to the dawn of the universe
Webb was launched from Guyana Space Center on Christmas Day 2021 with the aim of looking back in time to the dawn of the universe.
Astronomers hope the $10bn (£7.4bn) observatory will be able to reveal what happened just a few hundred million years after the big bang.
The observatory will spend more than a decade in an area of gravitational balance between the sun and Earth called L2.
While there, it will explore the universe in the infrared spectrum, allowing it to see through clouds of gas and dust where stars are being born.