NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope find how starts are actually born |

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided unprecedented insights into the birth of stars, revealing intricate details about the processes involved. On September 14, 2024, NASA announced that the JWST had observed the outskirts of the Milky Way galaxy, specifically targeting regions known as the Extreme Outer Galaxy. This area, located more than 58,000 light-years from the Galactic Center, includes molecular clouds such as Digel Clouds 1 and 2.
The JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) were used to capture high-resolution images of these regions.The data revealed star clusters undergoing bursts of formation, including very young protostars, outflows, jets, and distinctive nebular structures. These observations were part of a study led by Mike Ressler from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

One of the significant findings from the JWST’s observations was the detailed imaging of Cloud 2S. This region contains a luminous main cluster of newly formed stars, some of which are emitting extended jets of material from their poles. Additionally, a sub-cluster of stars, previously suspected but now confirmed, was observed. The telescope also revealed a deep sea of background galaxies and red nebulous structures being carved away by winds and radiation from nearby stars.
Natsuko Izumi of Gifu University and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the lead author of the study, highlighted the importance of these findings. She noted that while scientists had known about these star-forming regions, the JWST’s data allowed them to explore their properties in unprecedented detail. This builds upon years of incremental observations from various telescopes and observatories.
The JWST’s ability to peer into the Extreme Outer Galaxy has provided scientists with a unique opportunity to study star formation in an environment reminiscent of the early Milky Way. The telescope’s high sensitivity and sharp resolution have enabled researchers to examine the components of star clusters, such as Class 0 protostars, which are in the earliest stages of formation. These protostars are characterized by their dense cores and the presence of outflows and jets, which play a crucial role in the star formation process.
The observations also shed light on the environmental factors that influence star formation. The JWST’s data revealed how winds and radiation from nearby stars shape the surrounding nebulous structures, creating cavities and triggering the collapse of unstable material to form new stars. This process, known as triggered star formation, is essential for understanding how stars and their surrounding environments evolve over time.
The JWST’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of star formation in the Milky Way and other galaxies. By studying regions like the Extreme Outer Galaxy, scientists can gain insights into the conditions that prevailed during the early stages of our galaxy’s formation. This knowledge can help researchers develop more accurate models of star formation and improve our understanding of the processes that govern the birth and evolution of stars.
The JWST’s observations of the Extreme Outer Galaxy represent a major milestone in the study of star formation. The detailed images and data provided by the telescope have opened new avenues for research, allowing scientists to explore the intricacies of star birth in unprecedented detail. As the JWST continues to observe the cosmos, it will undoubtedly uncover more secrets about the universe and the processes that shape it.