NASA released a vivid new image of the Crab Nebula taken using the space agency’s James Webb Space Telescope.
The nebula, which is located 6,500 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Taurus, has been the basis of research for understanding the behavior, conditions, and aftereffects of supernovae, according to NASA.
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A crab collab 🤝
On the left is @NASAHubble’s 2005 view of the Crab Nebula, taken in optical light. On the right is Webb’s new look, taken in infrared light. By combining observations of this target, astronomers can deepen their understanding of the star life cycle. pic.twitter.com/gOwGCVQNlF
— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) October 30, 2023
The image produced by the telescope combines its NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument).
“Webb’s sensitivity and spatial resolution allow us to accurately determine the composition of the ejected material, particularly the content of iron and nickel, which may reveal what type of explosion produced the Crab Nebula,” project team lead Tea Temim said in a statement.
The picture of the nebula produced by the Webb Telescope is significantly more detailed than the image the Hubble Space Telescope took of the nebula in 2005 and is helpful for scientists looking to further their research on the Crab Nebula.
NASA said: “Additional aspects of the inner workings of the Crab Nebula become more prominent and are seen in greater detail in the infrared light captured by Webb.”
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The James Webb Space Telescope was launched into space by the agency in December 2021, and NASA has been releasing images from the telescope since July 2022, touting its advanced capabilities.
Since it was launched into space, images from the telescope have shown the scale and complexity of the cosmos. The telescope has made several breakthroughs as scientists seek to understand the formation of the universe.
