韦布望远镜揭示蝴蝶星云尘埃结构

Core Insights - The Cardiff University team utilized the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe the complex cosmic dust structure of the Butterfly Nebula (NGC 6302), providing significant insights into the origins of Earth and other rocky planets [1][2] Group 1: Observational Findings - The Butterfly Nebula is located in Scorpius, approximately 3,400 light-years from Earth, and is classified as a "bipolar nebula" with two gas lobes resembling butterfly wings [1] - A dense ring of dust obscures the central star of the nebula, which is an ancient core of a sun-like star, providing energy that causes the nebula to glow [1] - The central star has a temperature of 220,000 Kelvin, making it one of the hottest known central stars of planetary nebulae in the Milky Way [1] Group 2: Dust Composition and Formation - The dense ring of dust is composed of crystalline silicates (such as quartz) and irregularly shaped dust particles, which are approximately one-millionth of a meter in size, indicating a long growth process [1] - The study revealed the presence of both cold crystalline materials formed in relatively calm environments and amorphous dust formed in more turbulent conditions, providing crucial evidence for understanding how basic planetary materials aggregate [1] Group 3: Implications for Life Origin Research - The observations also identified carbon-based polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may be related to the chemical components of life, thus opening new avenues for research into the origins of planets and life [2]