The Webb Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of Wolf-Rayet 140, a binary star system in our galaxy surrounded by concentric rings of dust. The system, located about 5,000 light-years from Earth, was imaged to confirm the existence and movement of its dusty shells.
According to researchers, the stars’ winds collide and compress into carbon-rich dust, which is expelled into space. The team found that the dust shells are moving outward at consistent velocities, revealing visible changes over short periods of time. This is a crucial discovery, as it provides insight into how elements like carbon are dispersed across the universe.
The system consists of one Wolf-Rayet star, roughly 10 times more massive than the Sun, and its companion star. The Wolf-Rayet star is in the process of losing mass as it approaches the end of its life, which will eventually lead to a supernova explosion.
The Webb Space Telescope has imaged this star system before, capturing stunning views of other nearby stars. This latest image shows that WR 140’s shells are expanding at an astonishing rate of over 1,600 miles per second.
The team also notes that the dust creation happens once every eight-year orbit, resulting in distinct rings that can be seen in the image. The telescope’s mid-infrared observations revealed new details about the system, including exactly when the stars form dust – almost to the day.
While the fate of the Wolf-Rayet star is uncertain, the Webb Space Telescope has provided a unique glimpse into the distribution of carbon-rich material across space. Its capabilities make it an invaluable tool for understanding this phenomenon and its potential impact on the universe.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/beautifully-detailed-webb-image-shows-shelled-star-on-the-verge-of-death-2000549834