Different milestones have been experienced in space throughout the decades of exploration. Currently, one of the most important has been the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, which since December 25, 2021 relieved the Hubble Space Telescope with its surprising observations of the universe at infrared wavelengths. Its objective? Learn about the formation of the first galaxies and other celestial bodies such as stars, along with examining certain potentially habitable exoplanets.
Thus, and equipped with a main mirror of 6.5 meters in diameter, this telescope can capture images with great clarity, showing us new perspectives of space and its secrets. Now is no exception, since recent photographs released by NASA of the “Horsehead Nebula”located about 1,300 light years from Earth, represent an unprecedented achievement.
The “mane” of the Horsehead Nebula. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, K. Misselt (University of Arizona) and A. Abergel (IAS/Paris-Saclay University, CNRS)
The Horsehead Nebula by James Webb
We are talking about a complex structure composed of gas and dust, which thanks to its shape was named “Cabeza de Caballo” o Barnard 33and which has been studied for years because it was formed from the collapse of an interstellar cloud.
In this way, illuminated by a very close star, this is a nebula that, thanks to the passage of time and the forces of the cosmos, achieved the shape it has today, with its central pillar composed of dense clusters of material as if it were of an equine.
According to the scientific community, this nebula could persist in space for about five million more years before it completely dissolves. It is located in a photodissociation zone, and is exposed to ultraviolet radiation emitted by young and massive stars, which is a fundamental part of its chemistry.
Clearly this nebula fascinates experts for its potential study of physical and chemical processes, in addition to already being on the James Webb radar, which facilitates the respective investigations into its composition, radiation and evolution in the universe.
For now the “Horsehead” nebula It continues to be a focus of study, since there are more doubts than certainties that we have regarding it. The good thing, yes, is that at least we have several photographs shared by NASA to give us an idea of what we are talking about.
Horsehead Nebula. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, K. Misselt (University of Arizona) and A. Abergel (IAS/Paris-Saclay University, CNRS)
