The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of the planetary nebula NGC 1514, showcasing a dying star at its center ejecting vast quantities of gas and dust. The stunning mid-infrared photo reveals intricate details about the nebula’s composition and dynamics.
NASA’s JWST uses its Mid-Infrared Instrument to bring gas and dust into focus, allowing scientists to study this material in unprecedented detail. This capability has enabled researchers to comprehensively examine the turbulent nature of NGC 1514, a process previously difficult due to the limited resolution of earlier telescopes like NASA’s WISE.
NGC 1514 is thought to have formed around 4,000 years ago and will continue to evolve for thousands of years more. The central binary stars are enveloped by a layer of dust, which has been imaged in orange hues. These stars follow a tight, nine-year orbital period and are surrounded by layers of gas and dust ejected by the dying star.
The image shows two super bright central stars, one of which is actually located much closer to Earth. The lead actor in the cosmic destruction was once several times more massive than the Sun and has puffed up, throwing off layers of gas and dust into space.
Webb’s observations have revealed oxygen and small dust grains illuminated by ultraviolet light emitted by the white dwarf star at the center. However, unlike other planetary nebulae, NGC 1514 lacks carbon in its composition, possibly due to complex molecules not yet having formed.
The simplicity of NGC 1514’s material composition allows for a clearer view of the faint, cloud-like rings surrounding the binary stars. The image provides valuable insights into the behavior of dying stars and their impact on surrounding nebulae, shedding light on the processes that shape these celestial objects.
Source: https://petapixel.com/2025/04/15/incredible-photo-of-a-dying-star-shows-how-far-telescopes-have-come