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Behold The Southern Ring Nebula As Seen In Highest-Resolution Infrared By JWST

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clock-iconPUBLISHEDJuly 12, 2022
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Behold The Southern Ring Nebula As Seen In Highest-Resolution Infrared By JWST

The planetary nebula looks magnificent in the first science work from Hubble's successor. 

Dr. Alfredo Carpineti headshot

Dr. Alfredo Carpineti

Dr. Alfredo Carpineti headshot

Dr. Alfredo Carpineti

Space & Physics Editor

Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.

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Space & Physics Editor

Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.View full profile

Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.

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Southern Ring Nebula from the Near-infrared cam. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
Southern Ring Nebula from the Near-infrared cam. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

About 2,000 light-years from Earth, a hot white dwarf has created a celestial masterpiece. As it was dying, the star lost its outer layers and irradiated them with UV light, creating the beauty that is the Southern Ring Nebula. Now, we can see it in the highest resolution infrared ever thanks to the phenomenal powers of the JWST.

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Waves of material that were released by the former red giant can be seen clearly and the white dwarf and its companion star are clearly visible shrouded in dust in mid-infrared, appearing red.

Mid infrared image of the Southern Ring Nebula. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
Mid infrared image of the Southern Ring Nebula. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

 

Find out more about this and the other historic images released today here.

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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHEDJuly 12, 2022

Written by Dr. Alfredo Carpineti

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