Astronomers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to study the dynamic process of carbon-rich dust formation around Wolf-Rayet 140, a binary star system in our galaxy. The telescope has captured 17 distinct dust shells that expand outward and could eventually contribute to the creation of new stars elsewhere in the galaxy.
When two massive stars orbit each other, their stellar winds collide, generating carbon-rich dust. This process occurs every eight years as the pair make their closest approach during a wide, elongated orbit. The dust’s distribution isn’t uniform; some clouds are formed while others remain free-floating, with particles as small as one-hundredth the width of a human hair.
The stars’ winds create dust for several months before it dissipates over time, but new shells continue to form, suggesting that thousands more will emerge in the future. Researchers have observed these dust shells moving at nearly 1% of the speed of light, which is unusually rapid compared to events in space typically occurring over millions or billions of years.
The discovery provides critical insights into carbon’s origins and how elements contribute to the formation of new stars and planets. Understanding this process can help answer fundamental questions about the universe, such as where all the dust originates from. The James Webb Space Telescope has provided unparalleled details on the Wolf-Rayet 140 system, shedding light on the creation and distribution of life-essential carbon-rich dust in our galaxy.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/rings-of-creation-webb-maps-the-milky-ways-hidden-carbon-factories