Astronomers Reveal Stunning Image of Baby Star Coming Into Existence
Wherever the JWST looks in space, matter and energy are interacting in spectacular displays. The Webb reveals more detail in these interactions than any other telescope because it can see through dense gas and dust that cloak many objects.
In a new image, the JWST spots a young protostar only 100,000 years old.
The star is named L1527, and at this young age, it's still ensconced in the molecular cloud that spawned it. This is one of the reasons NASA built the JWST (with help from the ESA and the CSA.) The telescope can see through dust and gas to reveal the earliest stages of star formation.
This image was captured with MIRI, the Mid-Infrared Instrument. The young protostar is at the heart of it all, and it's still growing. It's accumulating mass from the protoplanetary disk that surrounds it. The disk is the tiny dark horizontal line at the image's center.
NASA Reveals Images of Large Asteroids That Just Sailed Past Earth
Last week, Earth was treated to a rare event: not one, but two large asteroids, passing by within hailing distance.
Neither 2024 MK nor 2011 UL21, as the asteroids are named, came close enough to pose a hazard, but both were within range of radar imaging systems. So NASA got a few happy snaps to mark the occasion.
These are more than just asteroid flyby souvenirs. Scientists can study the images to understand the properties of the rocks that can be found in Earth's vicinity – information that can help us put together strategies for any future asteroids that might one day threaten our planet
I only posted about the astroids because of them being in the news. But the baby star is just cool.
Dan
