Twin Jet Nebula

The universe is vast as it is beautiful. Every day the human race pushes further into that black unknown, we come closer to understanding more about the universe. Each discovery is new and powerful, transcending our wildest imaginings, and reminds us just how small we are. Recently, a discovery made by the Hubble Space Telescope revealed another event that had never been witnessed before by human eyes.

Named for its unique structure, the Twin Jet Nebula expands outward in two directions. Massive waves of iridescent light reach away from the suns rotating at its center. Scientists have compared its body to a butterfly, outstretched wings resplendent with beautiful colors created by jets of gas escaping the suns gravitational pull in excesses of 620,000 mph.

Scientifically identified by its less catchy name, PN M2-9 is the first discovery of its kind. The unique array of lights bringing the nebula to life is a result of its aged and dying suns. As a star ages, it sheds outer layers while its mass decreases, exposing the radioactive core to the emptiness of space. The immense pouring of light and heat into the vacuum illuminates the gasses escaping the core, resulting in a prismatic show of primordial beauty.

More fascinating than the shape of the nebula, is its swirling heart. Two brother suns, trapped in one another’s gravitational pull, rotate at the center of this nebula. Throwing an irradiated cloud of energy for thousands of miles in either direction, the nebula has captured the attention of the scientific community.

Two suns orbiting each other once every hundred years, exerting gravitational forces that fling energy out in beautiful wing patterns. An incredible phenomenon occurring on a level above the natural, this universal event is unique and fascinating. Reminding us, yet again, that we’re lucky to be on this planet.