Webb telescope discovers a new surprise about a rare pair of extreme stars
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 10:00 am
Webb Telescope Unveils Unexpected Companion in Rare Star System
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has made a groundbreaking discovery about a rare star system known as Apep, revealing a previously unknown third star. Apep, named after the Egyptian god of chaos, is a binary system composed of two Wolf-Rayet stars. These stars are nearing the end of their lives, characterized by their intense heat, blue-white color, and powerful stellar winds. Wolf-Rayet stars are exceptionally rare, with only about 1,000 known in the Milky Way galaxy.
The JWST's observations confirm the presence of a third star in the Apep system, a supergiant estimated to be 40 to 50 times more massive than our sun. This discovery provides crucial insights into the dynamics of this unique system. The telescope's data also revealed that the two Wolf-Rayet stars generate carbon dust through the collision of their stellar winds. This dust forms a series of four nested shells, resembling ripples in a pond. These shells maintain their shape as they expand outward, even as they drift across vast distances.
The shells' formation is a result of the stars' repeated close encounters, occurring approximately every 193 years. The supergiant star, orbiting at a greater distance, interacts with the dust shells, creating a distinct gap in each one. Researchers have determined that the system is farther away than previously thought, potentially 15,000 light-years from Earth.
The JWST's findings have resolved several mysteries surrounding Apep, but the precise distance to the stars remains a subject for future investigation.
BNN's Perspective:
The JWST's continued discoveries highlight the importance of space exploration and the potential for new insights into the universe. While the findings are fascinating, it's important to remember that these are complex scientific concepts. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of this discovery.
Keywords: James Webb Space Telescope, JWST, Apep, Wolf-Rayet stars, binary star system, supergiant star, carbon dust, stellar winds, astrophysics, astronomy, Milky Way galaxy, space exploration, NASA, The Astrophysical Journal, star system, astronomy, space, universe, science.