Red Spider Nebula
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled stunning new details of the Red Spider Nebula, a planetary nebula, using its advanced Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam). Released on October 26, 2025, this remarkable image showcases the nebula’s intricate structure, revealing the full extent of its outstretched lobes, which resemble the legs of a spider. These lobes, depicted in striking blue, are illuminated by light emitted from hydrogen molecules (H2), showcasing the dynamic processes occurring within this celestial region. Each of these lobes extends approximately 3 light-years and forms closed, bubble-like structures, a testament to the powerful outflows of gas from the nebula’s center that have inflated these massive formations over thousands of years.
The Red Spider Nebula offers a captivating glimpse into the life cycle of stars, particularly the processes that occur during their later stages. As stars exhaust their nuclear fuel, they expel their outer layers, creating stunning nebulae filled with gas and dust. The JWST’s high-resolution imaging capabilities allow astronomers to study these phenomena in unprecedented detail, providing insights into the chemical composition and physical conditions of such regions. The NIRCam’s ability to capture near-infrared light is crucial, as it penetrates dust clouds that often obscure these cosmic structures in visible light, revealing features that were previously hidden. This new observation not only enhances our understanding of the Red Spider Nebula but also contributes to a broader comprehension of the life cycles of stars and the evolution of the universe.
The JWST continues to push the boundaries of astronomical research, illuminating the mysteries of our cosmos. With each new image, such as this breathtaking view of the Red Spider Nebula, the telescope reaffirms its role as a groundbreaking tool for scientists and enthusiasts alike, sparking curiosity and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the universe. As we look forward to future discoveries, the insights gained from this nebula and others will undoubtedly shape our understanding of stellar evolution and the intricate dance of matter in space.
ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, J. H. Kastner (Rochester Institute of Technology)
Using itsÂ
Near-InfraRed Camera
 (NIRCam), NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured never-before-seen details of the Red Spider Nebula, a planetary nebula, in this image
released on Oct. 26, 2025
. NIRCam is Webb’s primary near-infrared imager, providing high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy for a wide variety of investigations.
Webb’s new view of the Red Spider Nebula reveals for the first time the full extent of the nebula’s outstretched lobes, which form the ‘legs’ of the spider. These lobes, shown in blue, are traced by light emitted from H2 molecules, which contain two hydrogen atoms bonded together. Stretching over the entirety of NIRCam’s field of view, these lobes are shown to be closed, bubble-like structures that each extend about 3 light-years. Outflowing gas from the center of the nebula has inflated these massive bubbles over thousands of years.
Image credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, J. H. Kastner (Rochester Institute of Technology)
