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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Beta Pictoris cat's tail

Beta Pictoris cat's tail
Beta Pictoris cat's tail JWST captured this image of the Beta Pictoris star system located 63 light-years from Earth. A coronagraph (black circle and two small disks) was used to block the light of the central star. The system has two known dust disks and two known exoplanets. In this image, JWST's MIRI instrument revealed a curvy branch of dust coming off the system in the shape of a cat's tail. Scientists believe it may have been created by a collision between asteroids, comets, or planetesimals. NASA released this image on Jan. 10, 2024. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Stark and K. Lawson (NASA GSFC), J. Kammerer (ESO), and M. Perrin (STScI).