Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

NASA's Telescope Reveals Star Formation Secrets in Nebula

1/28/2026

36 8

Summary

Story summary

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope observed the young star EC 53 in the Serpens Nebula, 1,300 light-years away, finding crystalline silicates form during energetic outbursts about every 18 months.
These silicates form in the star's hot inner disk and are expelled by strong winds.
They may reach comets in the cold outer regions of the solar system.
The findings imply similar processes could have occurred in the early solar system.

1 of 1

Story summary

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope observed the young star EC 53 in the Serpens Nebula, 1,300 light-years away, finding crystalline silicates form during energetic outbursts about every 18 months.
These silicates form in the star's hot inner disk and are expelled by strong winds.
They may reach comets in the cold outer regions of the solar system.
The findings imply similar processes could have occurred in the early solar system.