Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope captured stunning new images of the Star Cluster Pismis 24, located in the heart of the nearby Lobster Nebula.
This web image showcases Pismith 24, with young stars clustering around the 5,500 light-year-old star in the Psycholpius constellation. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/A. PAGAN, STSCI.
Pismis 24 is located roughly 5,500 light years away from the Scorpius constellation.
This cluster, part of the Lobster Nebula, is the largest known star cluster to date.
“As a vibrant stellar nursery and one of the closest locales for the birth of a massive star, Pismith 24 provides unusual insights into the characteristics of large-scale stars,” Webb astronomers noted in a statement.
“This region serves as an excellent venue for exploring the traits of hot, young stars and their evolutionary paths.”
“It’s remarkable to be at the center of this dazzling cluster Pismith 24-1.”
“Within a mass of stars towering above the jagged orange peak, the tallest spire points directly at it.”
“Initially appearing as a massive single star, Pismis 24-1 was once considered the largest known star.”
“In reality, it comprises at least two stars, which cannot be resolved in a Webb image.”
“With respective masses of 74 and 66 solar masses, the two known stars rank among the largest and brightest ever observed.”
This latest image from Webb’s Nircam (near-infrared camera) reveals thousands of gem-like stars of varying sizes and colors.
“The largest and most astonishing, with six diffraction spikes, is the biggest star in the cluster,” an astronomer commented.
“The numerous small members of the cluster appear as white, yellow, or red, differing by star type and surrounding dust levels.”
Webb also highlights tens of thousands of stars positioned behind clusters that belong to the Milky Way galaxy.
A very hot infant star—almost eight times the temperature of the Sun—creates powerful winds and radiation, shaping a cavity in the walls of the star-forming nebulae.
The nebula far exceeds what Nilkham can observe.
Only a few of these are visible at the bottom right and top right of the image.
“Streams of hot ionized gas from the nebula ridge and a faint veil of star-lit gas and dust surround the towering peak,” the researchers explained.
“A dramatic spire protrudes from the glowing gas walls, resisting the relentless radiation and winds.”
“These spires resemble fingers pointing towards the hot young stars that carved them.”
“The intense forces that shape and compress these spires will likely lead to the formation of new stars within them.”
“The tallest spire measures approximately 5.4 light years from its tip to the bottom of the image.”
“Over 200 solar systems in Neptune’s orbit could fit within its tip, which is 0.14 light-years wide.”
“In this image, cyan represents hydrogen gas that has been heated or ionized by a large young star.”
“Dust molecules akin to Earth’s smoke are depicted in orange. Red signifies cold, dense molecular hydrogen; the darker the red, the thicker the gas. Black indicates dense gas that does not emit light.
Source: www.sci.news
