NASA’s Webb Examines Cranium Nebula
NASA
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured stunning new images of the Cranium Nebula, also known as PMR 1, revealing intricate details about this enigmatic cosmic structure. The nebula, which resembles a brain enclosed in a transparent skull, is a cloud of gas and dust surrounding a dying star. While first spotted by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope over a decade ago, Webb’s advanced infrared instruments have now provided unprecedented clarity, enhancing the nebula’s eerie and brain-like appearance.
The images highlight two distinct regions within the nebula: an outer shell of hydrogen gas and an inner cloud with a mix of gases. A vertical dark lane bisects the nebula, giving it its striking resemblance to a human brain. This feature is thought to be caused by an outburst or outflow from the central star, with evidence of gas being ejected outwardly visible in Webb’s mid-infrared image. The nebula’s structure suggests it captures different phases of its evolution, offering valuable insights into stellar death processes.
Webb’s near- and mid-infrared instruments have revealed more stars and background galaxies through NIRCam, while MIRI has showcased glowing cosmic dust. These observations provide a deeper understanding of the nebula’s formation and dynamics. The study of such nebulas is crucial for unraveling the life cycles of stars and their impact on surrounding space environments.
The Cranium Nebula serves as a fascinating example of how dying stars shape their surroundings. As the central star sheds its outer layers, it creates intricate structures like PMR 1, which offer clues about the star’s evolutionary stage. Whether this particular star will end in a supernova or leave behind a white dwarf remains to be determined, but Webb’s observations have already advanced our understanding of stellar decline.
This discovery underscores the importance of powerful space telescopes like Webb in exploring the universe’s mysteries. By capturing these detailed images, Webb not only reveals the beauty of cosmic phenomena but also aids scientists in answering fundamental questions about star
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Originally published on NASA on 2/25/2026