The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revealed stunning images of a rare and complex planetary nebula, NGC 6072, located 3,060 light-years away in the constellation of Scorpius. The telescope’s unique capabilities have provided unprecedented insights into this unusual celestial object.
NGC 6072 is distinct from other planetary nebulas due to its irregular shape, resembling a splodge of color on the sky. JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) has captured multiple pairs of outflows emanating from the dying star and pointing in various directions, suggesting gravitational interactions with a companion star.
The nebula’s colors also reveal valuable information about its properties. The central star has shed up to 80% of its mass, resulting in dark orange clumps of gas and dust. Relatively empty regions appear blue due to denser patches of molecular hydrogen gas shielded from the white dwarf’s harsh ultraviolet light by thick dust.
JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) has detected concentric rings radiating out from the center of the nebula, which could be evidence for a second star. Alternatively, these rings might be caused by pulsations within the dying star.
The JWST’s images demonstrate the beauty and complexity of planetary nebula deaths, offering a glimpse into what can be expected for our sun in about five billion years’ time.
Source: https://www.space.com/astronomy/james-webb-space-telescope/jwst-sees-beauty-in-the-death-of-a-star-offers-a-preview-of-whats-in-store-for-our-sun