The Webb Telescope Captures A Mesmerizing View Of The Cat's Paw Nebula

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Will Shanklin

Feast your eyes connected nan astir mesmerizing feline ft known to humankind. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured this image of nan Cat's Paw nebula. The European Space Agency (ESA) shared nan image to grant nan telescope's 3 years of service.

The Cat's Paw nebula is portion of nan Scorpio constellation. (You know, nan 1 that looks for illustration a scorpion?) It floats astir 4,000 ray years distant from us. That translates to 23.5 quintillion miles. Put different way, that's a cardinal miles times a cardinal times 23.5.

So, what we're seeing is simply a snapshot of nan Cat's Paw from astir 4,000 years ago. On Earth, that's erstwhile nan Egyptian pyramids were only a fewer 100 years aged and Stonehenge was astir complete.

Here's nan uncropped version:

JWST image of nan Cat's Paw nebula

NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI

The immense unreality of state and particulate showcases nan statement of caller stars. Your oculus astir apt goes consecutive to that oceanic bluish style adjacent nan center. Scientists telephone that nan "Opera House" for its circular, gradual appearance. The ESA says nan origin of its azure glow is apt nan ray from its agleam stars aliases a hidden adjacent source.

In its 3 years of operation, nan Webb Telescope has been a root of technological find and ocular marvel. It captured nan first nonstop image of an exoplanet and an Einstein Ring. It gave america a jaw-dropping glimpse astatine nan Sombrero galaxy. It moreover provided america pinch a image of Uranus that looks for illustration a portal to different dimension. (Stop snickering, class!)

The ESA goes into overmuch much item astir nan Cat's Paw image successful its press release. You tin cheque retired nan video beneath for a panned view.

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