Nov 28, 2023 -  Step into the cosmic theatre of Perseus, where the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled a mesmerizing spectacle—Herbig-Haro object 797 (HH 797). This newborn star, surrounded by luminous Herbig-Haro regions, has been intricately captured by the Webb's Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam), exposing a celestial drama of stellar winds, shockwaves, and outflows.

The Enigmatic HH 797:

Herbig-Haro objects, like HH 797, come to life as stellar winds and gas jets collide with surrounding gas and dust at high speeds, creating luminous shockwaves. Positioned close to the young open star cluster IC 348 within the Perseus dark cloud complex, HH 797 dominates the lower half of the captured image.

Infrared Insight with Webb's NIRCam:

The image, a product of Webb's NIRCam, highlights the power of infrared imaging in studying newborn stars. Infrared light penetrates the gas and dust, allowing astronomers to observe the outflows in unprecedented detail. The Webb telescope excels in capturing the infrared emissions of molecules like molecular hydrogen and carbon monoxide, providing a window into the turbulent conditions surrounding these celestial phenomena.

A Double Star Revelation:

Contrary to previous assumptions based on ground-based observations, the higher resolution Webb image exposes the true nature of HH 797. What was once believed to be a single outflow is, in fact, two almost parallel outflows, each stemming from a double star located in the small dark region at the bottom right of the image. This discovery explains the observed velocity asymmetries, revealing that each star is generating its own dramatic outflow.

Detailed Observations:

Researchers, armed with ground-based observations, previously identified a gradient in the outflow's velocity. In the new Webb image, this gradient is attributed to the presence of two separate outflows, challenging the earlier notion of rotation-induced velocity asymmetry. The image showcases the cold molecular gas associated with HH 797, with red-shifted gas to the south and blue-shifted gas to the north.

Cosmic Neighbors:

HH 797 shares its cosmic neighborhood with HH 211, separated by approximately 30 arcseconds. Notably, HH 211 was the focus of a Webb image release in September 2023, adding to the growing body of knowledge about the intricate dance of cosmic phenomena in the Perseus region.

The unveiling of Herbig-Haro object 797 by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope marks a significant stride in our understanding of stellar birth and the complex interplay of celestial forces. From the dual outflows to the detailed observation of gas velocity, this discovery adds another layer to the cosmic narrative, inviting astronomers and space enthusiasts alike to delve deeper into the mysteries of our vast and wondrous universe.

Source - ESA