The Pillars of Creation, a dramatic vista of dust and gas pillars in the Eagle Nebula, have captivated the public since their first capture by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995. Now, scientists have released a breathtaking visualization comparing views of the Pillars taken by both Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope.
This visualization showcases the Pillars in both visible and infrared light, revealing their intricate 3D structure. The Hubble image, captured in visible light, provides a detailed view of the Pillars’ shape and the surrounding gas and dust. The Webb image, taken in infrared light, penetrates the dust and gas, revealing the stars forming within the Pillars.
By combining data from both telescopes, scientists gain a more complete understanding of the Pillars and the star formation process. The visualization, created by a team from NASA, allows viewers to fly through the Pillars, experiencing their three-dimensional structure from different angles.
“When we combine observations from NASA’s space telescopes across different wavelengths of light, we broaden our understanding of the universe,” said Mark Clampin, Astrophysics Division director at NASA. “The Pillars of Creation region continues to offer us new insights that hone our understanding of how stars form. Now, with this new visualization, everyone can experience this rich, captivating landscape in a new way.”
The team has also created a 3D printable model of the Pillars, allowing anyone to recreate this iconic astronomical structure at home. This visualization and model offer a captivating way to explore the universe and delve deeper into the mysteries of star formation.
