Posted on 07/14/2022 4:26:42 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: Cataloged as NGC 3132 the Southern Ring Nebula is a planetary nebula, the death shroud of a dying sun-like star some 2,500 light-years from Earth. Composed of gas and dust the stunning cosmic landscape is nearly half a light-year in diameter, explored in unprecedented detail by the James Webb Space Telescope. In this NIRCam image the bright star near center is a companion of the dying star. In mutual orbit, the star whose transformation has ejected the nebula's gas and dust shells over thousands of years is the fainter stellar partner. Evolving to become a white dwarf, the faint star appears along the diffraction spike extending toward the 8 o'clock position. This stellar pair's orbital motion has resulted the complex structures within the Southern Ring Nebula.
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.
The close up of it shows there are two stars there
Correct. The faint star at 8:00 from the bright companion star is the one shedding it's mass.
Amazing detail. It reminds me when the Hubble took its first pictures after the corrective mirrors were added, and the detail in galactic dust lanes was unexpected and astounding. Looking forward to many more.
It’s almost hidden in the diffraction spike.
At first glance, the nebula appears grainy, like a film photo blown up too much, but that’s detail not seen before. It’s the nebula that’s grainy, and Webb has revealed that detail.
A further enhancement.
http://davidswebsite.com/freerepublic/nebula1.png
Not impressed.
Point it at Mars or the Moon. That would be cool.
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