Pan of the Southern Ring Nebula (NIRCam Image)

5 months ago
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The Southern Ring Nebula was captured by Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and is featured in this video.
Despite being noticeable in near-infrared light when observed by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Telescope, the bright star at the center of NGC 3132 has a secondary function in shaping the surrounding nebula. The source of the nebula is a second star, just barely visible at lower left along one of the big star's diffraction spikes. Over thousands of years, it has expelled at least eight layers of gas and dust.

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