The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed an intriguing image from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) that could potentially assist astronomers in resolving long-standing mysteries about our universe. The image showcased above depicts WR 124, a star situated in the Sagittarius constellation, approximately 15,000 light-years away from Earth.
The JWST first observed WR 124 in June 2022, capturing the star undergoing a unique Wolf-Rayet phase. NASA states that only a select few massive stars experience such a transition before ultimately exploding. Those that undergo this phase rank among the largest and most radiant celestial bodies in the night sky. In the case of WR 124, NASA estimates the star to be 30 times the mass of the Sun, having already shed material equivalent to approximately 10 solar masses. Over time, the gas expelled by Wolf-Rayet stars will cool and form cosmic dust.
Cosmic dust is a subject of great interest to astronomers for several reasons. This material serves as a fundamental building block of the universe. As highlighted by NASA, cosmic dust provides shelter for forming stars and can even coalesce to create planets.
Currently, no existing theory explains the abundance of cosmic dust in the universe. The JWST could potentially help astronomers unravel this enigma. According to NASA, prior to the JWST, astronomers specializing in cosmic dust research lacked sufficient detailed information to investigate dust production in environments like WR 124. They also couldn’t determine whether dust grains were sizable and abundant enough to endure a supernova event and contribute significantly to the overall cosmic dust budget. With the JWST, these questions can now be explored using actual data.
The detailed observations provided by the JWST are instrumental in enhancing our understanding of the life cycle of stars, particularly those undergoing the rare Wolf-Rayet phase.
By studying the cosmic dust produced by stars like WR 124, astronomers can gain valuable insights into the formation of celestial bodies and the distribution of cosmic dust throughout the universe. This knowledge will ultimately contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the cosmos and its various components.
