James Webb Space Telescope Discovers “Cool Gemstones” and “Fiery Grime” in New Butterfly Nebula Images

Low Res Butterfly Nebula NGC 6302 Hubble and Webb ALMA images side by side

Key Takeaways:

  • 1. New James Webb Space Telescope data sheds light on the Butterfly Nebula, offering insights into cosmic dust formation and planetary material.
  • 2. NGC 6303, or the Butterfly Nebula, located 3,400 light-years away, shows a mix of crystalline silicates and irregular dust grains.
  • 3. MIRI instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope captured images revealing a multilayered emission structure and the formation of carbon-based molecules.

New data from the James Webb Space Telescope is providing fresh insights into the Butterfly Nebula, particularly regarding cosmic dust formation and the building blocks of planets. The nebula, known as NGC 6303 and located in the Scorpius constellation, exhibits a mix of crystalline silicates and irregular dust grains. The MIRI instrument on the telescope captured images revealing a complex emission structure and the formation of carbon-based molecules, offering new knowledge on planetary nebulae.

Insight: The new research highlights the importance of the James Webb Space Telescope in uncovering details about cosmic phenomena like planetary nebulae and the mechanisms behind planet formation.

Read original article

This article was curated by memoment.jp from the feed source: The Debrief.

Read the original article here: https://thedebrief.org/james-webb-space-telescope-discovers-cool-gemstones-and-fiery-grime-in-new-butterfly-nebula-images/

© All rights belong to the original publisher.