Crab Nebula's Eerie Luminescence Captured by Webb Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope reveals ethereal, unseen elements of the Crab Nebula, a celestial masterpiece formed from the remnants of a massive star's explosive demise
Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter to delve into the universe's wonders, with updates on captivating discoveries, groundbreaking scientific advancements, and much more. Recently, the James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled intricate new information about cosmic gas and dust in the Crab Nebula, shedding light on the aftermath of a colossal star explosion.
The Crab Nebula, situated in the Taurus constellation, is a renowned supernova remnant positioned approximately 6,500 light-years from Earth. Initially identified by astronomers from China, Japan, and the Middle East in 1054, it was initially cataloged as a fresh star. Subsequently, it was revealed that this spectacle was indeed the luminous aftermath of a supernova, an erupting star, being observed from our planet.
Having historical evidence of a stellar explosion event is rare, which is why there is so much interest in the nebula.
Scientists have successfully observed an uncommonly bright gamma-ray burst, GRB 230307A, and its associated kilonova using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. Kilonovas occur when a neutron star merges with either a black hole or another neutron star, and they are exceedingly rare, making them difficult to study. With the advanced infrared capabilities of Webb, scientists were able to pinpoint the exact location of the two neutron stars responsible for the kilonova. The image captured by Webb's NIRCam showcases the kilonova and its former host galaxy amidst a backdrop of nearby galaxies and foreground stars. Remarkably, these neutron stars were ejected from their original galaxy and traveled a distance of approximately 120,000 light-years, roughly equivalent to the diameter of the Milky Way galaxy, before finally merging hundreds of millions of years later.
A tremendous explosion, shining one million times brighter than the Milky Way, has given rise to enigmatic elements in the Crab Nebula. Although this neighboring celestial entity has been extensively studied, contemporary astronomers remain inquisitive regarding the deceased star's secrets and the chemical composition of its luminous celestial formation.
Other space observatories, including the Hubble Space Telescope, have examined the Crab Nebula. However, unlike the human eye, the Webb telescope can detect infrared light, allowing it to penetrate the dust that typically obscures the nebula and reveal previously unseen characteristics. Leveraging Webb's Near-Infrared Camera and Mid-Infrared Instrument, researchers delved into the nebula's origins to uncover valuable insights.
"By leveraging Webbs superior sensitivity and spatial resolution, we can precisely ascertain the composition of the expelled matter, specifically the levels of iron and nickel. These measurements hold the potential to unveil the exact nature of the explosion that generated the astounding Crab Nebula," stated Tea Temim, a research astronomer at Princeton University in New Jersey, in an official announcement.
Hubble's Crab Nebula —
Hubble's Crab Nebula
NASA/ESA/J. Hester/A. Loll
Webb's Crab Nebula —
Webb's Crab Nebula
NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/Tea Temim
Capturing aspects of the ever-expanding Crab Nebula
In 2005, Hubble utilized an optical wavelength to capture the celestial object (above left). However, Webb's latest infrared image (above right) unveiled a greater abundance of structural details and inner workings. The Webb image showcases the emergence of yellow-white and green filaments composed of dust grains. Notably, the nebulas interior is predominantly characterized by prominent smokelike material, serving as evidence of synchrotron radiation. This radiation occurs due to the movement of charged particles along magnetic field lines, resulting in the formation of distinct patterns.
This infrared image of Jupiter, captured by NASAs James Webb Space Telescope's NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera), reveals captivating details of the magnificent planet. The brightness levels highlight the altitude, showcasing the presence of numerous bright white spots and streaks, which are believed to be condensed convective storm cloud tops situated at very high altitudes. The image also displays striking red auroras extending to greater heights above both the northern and southern poles of Jupiter. Conversely, in the regions north of the equator, dark ribbons with minimal cloud cover can be observed. Furthermore, Webb's July 2022 images led researchers to the discovery of a narrow jet stream moving at an astonishing speed of 320 miles per hour (515 kilometers per hour) over Jupiter's equator, positioned above the primary cloud decks.
NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI
Webb telescope spots never-before-seen feature in Jupiters atmosphere
The milky haze found in this image is created by the power source of the nebula, a pulsar. Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars, which are the dense remnants formed after massive stars exhaust their nuclear fuel and collapse. The magnetic field of the pulsar causes charged particles to accelerate, resulting in the emission of radiation as they circle the magnetic field lines of the star.
The new image showcases rippling, circular wisps that indicate the center of the nebula, where the pulsar is located as a bright white spot. Moving towards the edges of the image, thin white lines trace the magnetic field of the pulsar, which determines the shape of the nebula. Over time, the nebula continually expands as the spinning pulsar generates a wind that pushes the gas and dust outward.
Astronomers are currently studying the Webb data and comparing it with data captured by other telescopes. Additionally, they eagerly await a new viewpoint on the nebula from Hubble in the upcoming year. Through these combined observations, astronomers hope to unravel the mysteries of what occurred prior to the star's explosion.
