NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory guided Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument to its launch, revealing double stars and gaseous jets in space previously mistaken for a single star.
When the James Webb Space Telescope from NASA was pointed towards young stars known as WL 20, a longstanding astronomical assumption was upended. Previously observed as one entity, the star labeled WL 20S turned out to be a binary system, an unveiling made possible only through Webb’s advanced resolution. Studied by astronomers since the 1970s and examined by at least five telescopes, the true nature of these stars, formed between 2 million and 4 million years ago, was only recently discovered with the help of Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). This revelation was announced at the 244th meeting of the American Astronomical Society on June 12.
The MIRI instrument not only identified WL 20S as twins but also detected symmetrical gaseous jets from their poles streaming into the cosmos. The existence of gas-dust disks around both stars, a preamble to potential planet formation, was further confirmed by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). This synergy of findings from both telescopes offers a rare peek into the formative stages of stellar and possibly planetary evolution.
Welcomed with amazement, the research challenges prior understandings and emphasizes the transformative capabilities of the new instrumentation. This duo, residing in the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex—a massive star birthplace in the Milky Way roughly 400 light-years away—is normally concealed behind dense clouds opaque to visible light. But Webb, with its infrared prowess, grants astronomers a clear view, just as radio waves detected by ALMA bring out different attributes through submillimeter light.
The infrared signatures of ionized gas jets detected by MIRI and the submillimeter visibility of the circumstellar disks shed light on two distinct stages of stellar development. They highlight how advanced technology can alter our interpretation of cosmic phenomena, a significant breakthrough facilitated by the joint effort of NASA and ESA in the development of the MIRI instrument.
With MIRI’s evidence of twin stars and gaseous jets, aided by radio observatory findings, researchers are now exploring the transitional stages of stellar maturation, eagerly anticipating further insights from the James Webb Space Telescope into the vast tableau of the universe’s lifecycle.
As scientists continue to unlock the mysteries of space with the help of the James Webb Space Telescope—the world’s leading space science observatory—such discoveries underscore the telescope’s pivotal role in enhancing our understanding of the cosmos, from the mechanics of our solar system to the enigmatic depths of distant galaxies and the origins of the universe itself.
Managed by JPL and created through a collaboration between NASA, ESA, and other partners, Webb and its instruments, such as MIRI, promise to redefine our cosmic perspectives for years to come.
Contact Information:
Calla Cofield
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
626-808-2469
calla.e.cofield@jpl.nasa.gov
Reference Number: 2024-085
FAQ Section:
What is the James Webb Space Telescope?
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST, often referred to simply as Webb) is the most advanced space science observatory to date, designed to solve mysteries within our solar system, investigate exoplanets, and explore the origins of the universe.
What did Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) reveal?
MIRI revealed that a star previously thought to be a single entity (WL 20S) is actually a pair of twin stars. It also detected jets of gas emanating from the twin stars and observed circumstellar disks which could indicate the formation of planets.
What makes the James Webb Space Telescope able to discover such phenomena?
Webb is equipped with cutting-edge technology that enables it to capture images and phenomena in the infrared spectrum, which can penetrate the dense gas and dust clouds of space that often obscure other telescopes’ views.
Who manages the James Webb Space Telescope?
The James Webb Space Telescope is an international collaboration led by NASA, with major contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
How does the observation by Webb and ALMA complement each other?
The Webb Telescope, using its infrared capabilities, can observe hidden features like the stellar jets, while ALMA can reveal different elements like molecular clouds through submillimeter wavelengths. Together, they provide a more complete picture of the processes occurring around young stars.
