Red Spider Nebula
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled stunning new details of the Red Spider Nebula, a captivating planetary nebula, using its advanced Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam). Released on October 26, 2025, the latest images reveal the nebula’s outstretched lobes, which resemble the legs of a spider, showcasing a breathtaking view of the cosmic structure. These lobes, depicted in striking blue, are illuminated by light emitted from hydrogen molecules (H2), which are formed by two hydrogen atoms bonded together. The new imagery captures the full scale of the nebula, with these lobes extending approximately three light-years across, emphasizing the vastness and complexity of this celestial phenomenon.
The Red Spider Nebula is characterized by its unique bubble-like structures that have been inflated by outflowing gas from the nebula’s center over thousands of years. The high-resolution imaging provided by JWST’s NIRCam not only enhances our understanding of the nebula’s morphology but also allows scientists to study the intricate processes that govern stellar evolution. These observations are crucial for astrophysicists as they seek to comprehend the life cycles of stars and the dynamics of the interstellar medium. The JWST’s ability to capture such detailed images in the near-infrared spectrum marks a significant advancement in astronomical research, offering insights that were previously unattainable with earlier telescopes.
This groundbreaking discovery highlights the power of the James Webb Space Telescope in expanding our knowledge of the universe. As we continue to explore the depths of space, the findings from the Red Spider Nebula serve as a reminder of the intricate beauty and complexity of celestial phenomena, inviting both scientists and enthusiasts alike to marvel at the wonders of the cosmos. With each new image and discovery, JWST is reshaping our understanding of the universe, opening new avenues for research and inspiring future generations of astronomers.
ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, J. H. Kastner (Rochester Institute of Technology)
Using its
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)
