Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the origin of building blocks of life using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The telescope has unveiled a process in action, where massive stars in the Milky Way are spewing out carbon-rich dust.
Located 5,000 light-years away, two massive stars in the Wolf-Rayet 140 system are orbiting each other at stretched-out paths. Every eight years, their orbits bring them close together, causing powerful winds from each star to crash into one another. This collision compresses materials, creating dust particles rich in carbon.
The James Webb Space Telescope has observed mid-infrared light, highlighting cooler materials like this dust. The data shows that the dust shells are moving outward at consistent velocities, revealing visible changes over incredibly short periods of time.
One remarkable aspect is the rapid expansion of these dust shells, reaching speeds of over 1,600 miles (2,500 kilometers) per second – almost 1% of the speed of light. This extraordinary expansion is a result of intense interactions between the stars.
The telescope has identified 17 distinct shells of dust, each representing a moment when the stars’ close encounters produced new material. These shells span over 130 years, showing the consistent and ongoing process of dust creation. However, many older shells may have dispersed into space, leaving thousands more expected to form in the future.
Carbon-rich dust particles vary in structure, forming either amorphous clouds or floating individually. The observation of mid-infrared light is crucial for this analysis, as it allows scientists to study cooler materials that would be invisible with near-infrared and visible light.
The generated dust might contribute to the formation of new stars and planets in the galaxy. Carbon is necessary for rocky planets and solar systems like our own. This discovery provides valuable insight into how binary star systems create carbon-rich dust and propel it into the galactic neighborhood.
As one massive star approaches the end of its life, it raises concerns about cosmic consequences. The possibility of a supernova explosion or the formation of a black hole poses significant risks to the surrounding environment. However, this dual possibility also highlights the profound impact such massive stars can have on their surroundings and the future of materials they produce.
This study brings humanity closer to understanding our place in the universe, answering fundamental questions about where dust in the universe comes from. The James Webb Space Telescope continues to provide unparalleled insights into the cosmos.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-directly-observes-carbon-factories-milky-way-galaxy-wolf-rayet-140