The images offered to us by the James-Webb space telescope since its commissioning are marvellous. But they are not only beautiful to look at. They also advance science. By immersing themselves in some of this data, astronomers have discovered dozens of energetic jets that betray the formation of as many stars. And should help to better understand how stars like our Sun are born.
A few months ago, the James-Webb Space Telescope (JWST) unveiled an almost moving image of a region of the carina nebula that astronomers call the “cosmic cliffs”. They had already been observed by the Hubble Space Telescope. But thick clouds of dust had until then hidden the details of what was happening in this nursery of stars.
By analyzing the data transmitted by the JWST at a rather specific wavelength of the infrared light (4.7 microns), the astronomers discovered dozens of previously unknown jets — from small fountains to humming behemoths — coming from extremely young stars that will be low-mass, like our Sun.
Inside the secrets of star formation
For researchers, these jets are “like signposts to the most exciting part of the star formation process. » They mark a period of very early formation during which the star is actively accreting. A difficult period to grasp because short. It does not last more than 10,000 years over a complete cycle of formation which can extend over several million years. That is to say to what extent these images returned by the télescope spatial James-Webb of the “cosmic cliffs” of the Carina Nebula are precious.
Especially since comparing their images to those collected 16 years ago by the Hubble Space Telescope, the researchers noted some changes. Enough to follow the speed and the direction in which the jets are moving. Works which probably mark the beginning of a new era of study on the way stars like our Sun form and how radiation from nearby massive stars might affect the development of planets.
