A newly released photo by NASA is a reminder of how much incredible imagery is yet to come.
And it’s a good thing, as this star will soon explode.
One of JWST’s first observations, the imagery gives an unprecedented look at a Wolf-Rayet star.
Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team
These enormous stars are showing their last burst of activity before they die out.
NASAstatesthat they live fast and die hard before exploding into a supernova.
As this material cools and blows away from the star, it forms cosmic dust.
Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team
Dust is an essential part of the universe for several reasons.
The universe is operating with a dust budget surplus.
Scientists are particularly interested in these images because massive stars often race throughor skipthis final phase before going supernova.
This knowledge can then be applied to theories of how our early universe developed.
There is beauty in transience.
Webbs stunning image of a super bright, massive Wolf-Rayet star calls forth the ephemeral nature of cherry blossoms.
