ESA / Webb, NASA & CSA, M. Villenave et al.A Cosmic Butterfly. In August, the James Webb Space Telescope provided this new view of IRAS 04302+2247, a planet-forming disk about 525 light-years away. This protoplanetary disk, a structure that is several times the diameter of our solar system, can be seen at center, encircling a protostar—a young star that is still gathering mass from its environment, possibly forming new planets. The dense disk of dusty gas blocks much of the protostar’s bright light, allowing a better look at the two gauzy nebulae on either side of the disk. These reflection nebulae, illuminated by the central protostar, give the star its nickname, the “Butterfly Star.”Coming soonComing soonComing soonFive golden rings!Coming soonComing soonComing soonComing soonComing soonTwo more weeks til Christmas!Coming soonComing soonComing soonComing soonComing soonComing soonOne week to go!Coming soonComing soonComing soonComing soonComing soonOne more day!Merry Christmas!
