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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

JWST sees the Ring Nebula

JWST sees the Ring Nebula
JWST sees the Ring Nebula JWST captured this new image of the Ring Nebula in unprecedented detail. Formed by a star throwing off its outer layers as it runs out of fuel, the Ring Nebula is an archetypal planetary nebula. Also known as M57 and NGC 6720, it is relatively close to Earth at roughly 2,500 light-years away, and can be spotted with amateur telescopes. This image was released on Aug. 21, 2023. ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, M. Barlow (UCL), N. Cox (ACRI-ST), R. Wesson (Cardiff University)