The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revealed a stunning image of interstellar gas and dust near the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A, showcasing a rare phenomenon known as a light echo. The images, captured on three different days, show glowing material around the long-dead star, with intricate layers of gas and dust exposed by the intense radiation from the supernova explosion.
The light echo is a faint reflection of the original explosion, which occurred over 350 years ago. The JWST’s infrared capabilities allow it to spot this phenomenon, which is not typically visible in visible wavelengths. The images show tightly packed filaments of interstellar medium, previously unseen at such small scales, and will help astronomers study the composition of the dust patch and its changes over time.
The discovery is significant as it provides new insights into the behavior of the interstellar medium and the effects of supernovae on gas and dust. The JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument will be used to further study the scene, allowing researchers to track changes in the light echo over weeks or months and gain a better understanding of this rare phenomenon.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/astronomy/space-photo-of-the-week-james-webb-telescope-reveals-mysterious-light-echo-in-the-broken-heart-of-cassiopeia