Tarantula Stars R136 from the JWST

Near the center of a nearby star-forming region lies a massive cluster containing some of the largest and hottest stars known. Collectively known as star cluster NGC 2070, these stars are part of the vast Tarantula Nebula and were captured in two kinds of infrared light by the James Webb Space Telescope.

Known as R136, this image shows the group of stars at NGC 2070's centre in near-infrared light, just a bit too red for humans to see. The cluster's massive stars emit particle winds and energetic light that are evaporating the gas cloud from which they were formed.

This Webb image, released early September 2022, shows details of R136 and its surroundings that have never been seen before, details that are helping humanity to a better understanding of how all stars are born, evolve and die.

Images Credit & Copyright: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team