NASA’s Webb Telescope unveils the true nature of the 'Cosmic Tornado,' revealing intricate details of star formation in Herbig-Haro 49/50.
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| Webb’s latest image of Herbig-Haro 49/50 provides fresh insights into star formation, uncovering a distant spiral galaxy and the dynamics of protostellar jets. Image: NASA |
Washington, USA — March 25, 2025:
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed the true nature of the 'Cosmic Tornado,' a spectacular outflow from a forming star in the Herbig-Haro 49/50 system. Captured in unprecedented detail, this high-resolution image provides fresh insights into the turbulent process of star birth.
Herbig-Haro objects are created when energetic jets from newborn stars collide with surrounding gas and dust, producing glowing shock waves. Webb’s latest observations, combining data from its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), depict these phenomena in stunning clarity. The reddish-orange hues trace the jet’s impact, offering valuable clues about star formation dynamics.
A fascinating aspect of the image is the accidental alignment of Herbig-Haro 49/50 with a distant spiral galaxy, creating a visually striking celestial scene. Previously observed by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope in 2006, the fuzzy tip of the 'Cosmic Tornado' was an enigma. Webb’s superior resolution has now identified it as a distant galaxy rather than an extension of the outflow.
Located 625 light-years away in the Chamaeleon I Cloud complex, a key star-forming region in the Milky Way, Herbig-Haro 49/50 provides a glimpse into conditions similar to those that shaped our own Sun. Scientists believe the protostar Cederblad 110 IRS4, about 1.5 light-years away, is the source of the outflow. This young star is still accumulating mass, and Webb’s observations help analyze its icy surroundings, revealing crucial details about early stellar evolution.
The image also captures arc-like shock fronts, resembling the wake of a fast-moving boat, which pinpoint the outflow’s origins. Some arcs indicate additional outflows or interactions within the surrounding material, hinting at a complex and dynamic environment. Over thousands of years, the expanding edge of Herbig-Haro 49/50 will likely obscure the background galaxy, changing the view of this cosmic alignment.
Webb’s cutting-edge imaging capabilities continue to transform our understanding of the universe. By capturing the fine details of protostellar jets, astronomers can refine models of stellar birth and evolution, uncovering new mysteries of the cosmos.