Webb’s Infrared Vision Reveals Planetary Nebula that Looks Strikingly Like Celestial Brain
The unmatched sensitivity of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope in both near- and mid-infrared light sheds new light on PMR 1, a little-studied nebula in the constellation of Vela.These Webb images show PMR 1, a planetary nebula some 5,000 light-years away in the constellation of Vela. Image credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Joseph DePasquale, STScI.PMR 1 is a planetary nebula located approximately 5,000 light-years away in the constellation of Vela.Also known as IRAS 09269-4923, the object was first revealed in infrared light by NASA’s now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope in 2013.Webb’s advanced instruments now show detail that enhances the nebula’s brain-like appearance.“The nebula appears to have distinct regions that capture different phases of its evolution — an outer shell of gas that was blown off first and consists mostly of hydrogen,...