Researchers reveal rare stellar birth phenomenon using the James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled a remarkable celestial occurrence, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the process of star formation. Researchers have found that the very youngest stars appear to emit beams of almost pure molecules contrary to what astronomers thought before. The results are published in the journal Nature.
Leveraging the JWST's advanced observational ability, astronomers have captured an image of "Herbig-Haro 211-mm," one of the youngest known stars. This young star, estimated to be just a few thousand years old, was meticulously photographed using the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) attached to the JWST. The resulting image vividly displays jets emitted from this nascent star and gives a view of what our sun might looked like when it was formed.
Of the many revelations from this celestial portrait, the most intriguing is the detection of newborn stars emitting highly supersonic matter beams spanning vast expanses of space, equivalent to several light-years. Resembling the iconic lightsabers from the Star Wars universe, these beams emit a radiant glow originating from various atoms and molecules. This phenomenon defies prior astronomical assumptions, as these young stars appear to produce nearly pure molecular beams, lacking the customary atoms and ions. The mystery surrounding the generation of these beams without conventional ingredients poses a tantalizing question for astronomers.
"Challenges our existing understanding of star formation"
Göran Östlin, Professor of Astronomy at Stockholm University, contributed to the study in collaboration with several astronomers led by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
"This discovery challenges our existing understanding of star formation. The observation of these supersonic matter beams adds a new layer of complexity to the process, urging us to reevaluate the mechanisms at play. It's a leap forward in our quest to decipher the universe's most fundamental processes,” says Göran Östlin, Professor of Astronomy at Stockholm University.
Launched in December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope is recognized as the world's most powerful telescope, a collaborative achievement involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). During its anticipated more than decade long mission, JWST will peer into the depths of space, unveiling origins of galaxies, stars and planets, revealing their formative epochs.
Last updated: August 31, 2023
Source: Communications Office