James Webb Space Telescope: Unveiling the Deep Sea of the Cosmos

James Webb Space Telescope: Unveiling the Deep Sea of the Cosmos

Observing the Cosmic Squid: Herbig-Haro Object 211

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has recently aimed its lens towards a celestial object known as Herbig-Haro object 211 (HH 211). Resembling a glowing squid in the deep sea of cosmos, this object is located approximately 1,000 light-years away in the direction of the Perseus constellation. At the core of this object is a young star, accounting for merely 8% of the Sun’s mass, and is potentially a binary star, where two stars orbit each other due to gravitational pull.

The JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) captured the image of HH 211 on August 28, 2022. The image, synthesized from observation data, was released only recently, offering a glimpse into the fascinating processes of star formation.

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Understanding Herbig-Haro Objects

Herbig-Haro objects are regions around newly born stars that emit light due to the high-speed collision of gas jets and stellar winds ejected from the young stars with nearby gas and dust. This collision results in shockwaves that give these objects their distinct glow. In the case of HH 211, molecules such as carbon monoxide, silicon monoxide, and hydrogen are excited, causing them to shine.

Surprising Findings from HH 211

An unpublished research paper discussing the observations from HH 211, posted in Nature, revealed some surprising findings. Contrary to expectations, there is hardly any trace of atoms or ionized radiation in the celestial object, suggesting that its backbone is almost entirely molecular. The research team hypothesizes that the shockwaves of this celestial object do not possess enough energy to decompose molecules into constituent atoms and ions.

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Unveiling the Secrets of Primitive Stars

In its mission to explore the universe, JWST has previously captured images of the shimmering environments surrounding primitive stars. In August of the previous year, it released an image of a primitive star at the center of a dark nebula named “L1527,” shaped like an hourglass.

The recently released images of HH 211 show bipolar jets composed of silicon monoxide, which appear to be “tangled and writhing,” according to the information from the Space Telescope Science Institute. These jets, moving at speeds of 48 to 60 miles per second, are closest to the primitive star at the core of HH 211.

JWST’s Superior Observational Capabilities

Other telescopes would have their view obstructed by the gas and dust surrounding HH 211. However, JWST’s extremely sensitive infrared and near-infrared observations can penetrate these obstructions, enabling it to capture this celestial object quite clearly. This high-resolution imagery offers insights into star-forming regions and processes, providing a window into the early universe.

Conclusion

The observations from JWST continue to shed light on the fascinating phenomena of the cosmos. From the intricate processes of star formation to the composition of celestial objects like HH 211, JWST’s contributions to our understanding of the universe are invaluable. With each new image captured, we get one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos.

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