In the quiet depths of Taurus, a young star is taking shape. Astronomers have now revealed dazzling new images showing a dusty disc and glowing nebulae that look uncannily like butterfly wings.
What exactly is the Butterfly Star?
The object is officially known as IRAS 04302. It is a protostar cocooned within cold gas and dust, hidden from direct view. The disc flattens into a thin dark lane, blocking starlight and giving researchers an edge-on look at planet-forming material.
The photo blends infrared data captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope with optical observations by Hubble. Webb’s instruments exposed faint structures in the dust grains, while Hubble’s camera revealed fine optical details. Together, they highlighted the disc’s thickness, density and vertical structure. The disc itself stretches about 65 billion kilometres, far larger than our Solar System.
Why is this discovery important?
Protostars such as IRAS 04302 are nurseries of stars where planets can form. Observing its dusty disc teaches astronomers about how grains settle and move, important phases in creating new worlds. Astronomers believe the disc may already contain young planets carving gaps and spirals.
Two glowing reflection nebulae glow above and below the dark disc. Their wing-like appearance gave them the nickname "Butterfly Star." These nebulae diffuse buried starlight, providing information on surrounding dust and gas. Scientists also detected signs of jets, outflows and instabilities sculpting the system.
What does this imply for astronomy?
By marrying Webb and Hubble, astronomers are now able to observe stellar birth with unprecedented detail. IRAS 04302 presents a rare peek at how planetary systems like our own form from dark clouds. The find provides scientists with a clearer avenue to investigate the beginnings of new worlds.
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