Newborn Star Unleashes Massive Jets and Astonishes Scientists: A Look through the James Webb Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a stunning image of a star coming into existence, providing a glimpse into what our Sun may have looked like when it was born 4.6 billion years ago. The image shows an object called HH212, located in the Orion constellation, which is believed to be no more than 50,000 years old. The protostar is hidden within a dense disc of gas and dust, but pinky-red jets shooting out in opposite directions can be seen. These jets are a result of the star's rotation and are essential for the regulation of its formation. The pink color in the image indicates the presence of molecular hydrogen. The image was captured at an infrared wavelength of 2.12 microns using JWST's Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam). The telescope's superior capabilities will allow scientists to gain deeper insights into the processes involved in star formation. The image of HH212 is 10 times sharper than any previous images, enabling researchers to study the changes in the object over time. Additionally, the telescope's ability to detect a broad range of colors provides a more comprehensive understanding of the object. JWST is a collaboration between the US, European, and Canadian space agencies and has revolutionized the study of astronomical objects like Herbig-Haro objects, named after pioneering astronomers George Herbig and Guillermo Haro. Another object, HH211, located in the Perseus constellation and even younger than HH212, is also featured in the image.