Astronomers are looking deep into the cocoons of stars. Young stars are hidden because they are trapped in the cosmic cloud gas that feeds them, like an unhatched egg. Nuclear fusion is about to begin.
But powerful jets associated with the youngest protostars give away their position.
Infrared astronomy, particularly data from the James Webb Telescope, makes it possible to see through the cosmic cloud, revealing previously hidden space scenes. The spatial resolution of these images is approximately 5–10 times higher than any previous images of this object.
In the arena is the dazzling object Herbig-Haro 211.
The image shows Herbig-Haro objects protostars (young future stars). They spew stellar winds into space. These high-speed beams collide with nearby gas and dust, creating shock waves.
JWST’s NIRCam took this image of Herbig-Haro object 211 in August 2022. This protostar is releasing powerful jets, which then create shockwaves as they slam into the dust and gas of interstellar space. Credit: ESA/WEBB, NASA, CSA, T. RAY (DUBLIN INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES)
Banner image: ESA/WEBB, NASA, CSA, T. RAY (DUBLIN INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES)
Image credit:
https://www.inverse.com
