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Serpens Nebula is 1,300 light-years away from Earth. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
It stated that the James Webb Space Telescope Webb instrument would now investigate gas and dust to better understand how volatile compounds “survive star and planet formation.”
One of the core concepts of astrophysics is the study of star ages. It can provide astronomers with a more comprehensive understanding of the evolution of star systems and possibly whole galaxies. NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have been at the forefront of developing a more accurate understanding of the lifespans of stars. The Space Agencies often update the public on their newest advancements. This time, they gave us a peek at the young star-forming area known as the Serpens Nebula.
In a remarkable discovery, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured jets of gas emanating from newborn stars, all pointing in a singular direction.
Sharing the visuals, ESA wrote, “Normally, these jets are chaotic, but here, they’re aligned like sleet in a storm.”
The space agency elaborated on the significance of this discovery in the lines that followed.
They added that in the picture, these jets are identifiable by “bright red clumpy streaks,” which are shockwaves created when the jet collides with the surrounding gas and dust.
The crimson colour in this instance denotes the presence of carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen, the space agency stated.
They also noted that Webb can observe these “young stars and their outflows”, that had earlier been obscured at optical wavelengths.
Through the dense dust, Webb’s keen infrared vision was able to distinguish between the stars and their outflows. It stated that the Webb instrument would now investigate gas and dust to better understand how volatile compounds “survive star and planet formation.”
The post, which was shared on Instagram, managed to mesmerise viewers. It has more than 13,000 double taps on the social media platform.
A user commented, “Universe is one huge endless canvas. This is art.”
Another user called the visual an “abstract painting.”
“An incredible display of astronomical creations,” read another comment.
Yet another user stated, “I guess these are the best long exposures of recent times.”
NASA reports that the Serpens Nebula is 1,300 light-years away from Earth.
It’s just about 1-2 million years old, which is incredibly young in cosmic perspective.
It is home to a dense cluster of recently formed stars (about 100,000 years old).