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Cosmic Lion Revealed in Stunning New Webb Images
12 Aug
Summary
- Webb telescope reveals hidden details of the Lion Nebula in infrared.
- A dying star's remnant creates the nebula's distinctive lion face.
- The Lion Nebula is expected to disperse in approximately 10,000 years.
The James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled striking new infrared images of the NGC 2392, or Lion Nebula. These observations provide a detailed look at the cosmic object, highlighting features previously less visible in optical light.
The nebula's structure, including its famous lion-like appearance with a 'mane,' is illuminated by the intense radiation from a dying star at its core. This stellar remnant, a white dwarf, drives the complex formation of gas and dust shells.
Previous observations by the Hubble Space Telescope in visible light showcased the nebula's distinct shape. Webb's infrared capabilities now offer a sharper view, revealing dense concentrations of dust and ionized gas, including structures resembling comet tails.
The expelled layers of gas and dust, forming the planetary nebula, have been evolving for thousands of years. Astronomers estimate that the Lion Nebula will eventually disperse into space in approximately 10,000 years, a relatively short period on astronomical timescales.
