New images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope give a clearer picture of the mysterious and little-studied nebula surrounding a dying star. The observations reveal new details about the structure of this unusual gas and dust cloud and how it changes over time.
This object, called nebula PMR 1, has a striking appearance that resembles a brain inside a transparent skull, which is why it is called an “exposed skull” nebula. Webb observed it using both near-infrared and mid-infrared light, revealing previously invisible features. The nebula was first detected in the infrared by NASA’s now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope more than a decade ago, but Webb’s more advanced instruments provide a sharper, more detailed view, making its brain-like structures even more prominent.
Layers, jets, and split lanes
This nebula shows clear signs of different stages of its development. It has an outer shell of gas that was released earlier and is made primarily of hydrogen, and a more complex interior region that contains a mixture of gases and a more detailed structure. These layers reflect how the star shed material over time.
Images from Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) both highlight a dark band running vertically through the center of the nebula. This feature divides the cloud into two sections similar to the left and right sides of the brain. Webb’s high resolution suggests that this dark lane may be associated with an explosion or flow of material from the central star, a process often caused by twin jets shooting out in opposite directions. Evidence of this activity is especially visible near the top of the nebula in MIRI images, where gas from inner regions appears to be pushed outward.
Star in its final stage
Although many details about this object are still unknown, scientists do know that it is formed by a star nearing the end of its fuel-burning “lifespan.” During this stage, the star sheds its outer layer into space. This may sound slow, but it is relatively fast on the cosmic time scale.
Webb took a snapshot of this process as it unfolded. The star’s ultimate fate will depend on its mass, which has not yet been determined. If it is large enough, it could end its life in a supernova explosion. If it were anything like our Sun, only its dense core would remain as a white dwarf, and material would continue to be lost until it gradually cooled over time.
The role of the James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope is the most advanced space observatory ever built to study the universe. It is designed to study objects within our solar system, study planets orbiting other stars, and investigate the origin and structure of galaxies over the history of the universe.
Webb is an international collaboration led by NASA in collaboration with ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) that continues to provide new insights into how the universe formed and evolved.
