NASA has released new images from the James Webb Space Telescope showcasing the Exposed Cranium Nebula, officially designated Nebula PMR 1, which may capture a moment in the final stages of a star’s life.
The images reveal distinct regions capturing different phases of the nebula’s evolution. It features an outer shell of gas, blown off first, that consists mostly of hydrogen, and an inner cloud with more structure containing a mix of different gases.
A dark vertical line running through the nebula gives it a brain-like appearance. According to NASA, this line could result from an outburst or outflow from the central star, which typically occurs as twin jets burst out in opposite directions.
Both Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) were used to document the nebula.
