Webb Investigates the Complex Heart of a Cosmic Butterfly

The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) has joined forces with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to deliver an astonishingly detailed view into the heart of the Butterfly Nebula, also known as NGC 6302. This celestial marvel, previously captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, now reveals its secrets in a new light thanks to Webb's advanced infrared capabilities.

A Dynamic and Structured Planetary Nebula

Webb's observations delve deep into the nebula's core, uncovering new details about the dense, dusty torus that encircles the hidden star at its center. The telescope's keen eye has also illuminated the outflowing jets emanating from this stellar remnant, painting a never-before-seen portrait of a truly dynamic and structured planetary nebula.

Located approximately 3400 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius, the Butterfly Nebula is one of the most well-studied planetary nebulae within our galaxy. Planetary nebulae, the beautiful and fleeting remnants of dying stars, are formed when stars with masses between about 0.8 and 8 times that of our Sun shed their outer layers. This spectacular phase in a star's life is ephemeral, lasting only around 20,000 years.

This groundbreaking combined imagery from Hubble, Webb, and ALMA provides an unparalleled understanding of the complex processes occurring within this cosmic butterfly, offering new insights into stellar evolution and the life cycles of stars.

For a deeper dive into the scientific findings, you can explore the .