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Gemini North captures unprecedented Pa 30 nebula “cosmic pearls”

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 2:34 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. astronomers obtained the most detailed image of the Pa 30 nebula with Gemini North in Hawaii.
The photograph shows roughly ten times more structures than any earlier view of the supernova remnant.
Researchers found the filaments consist of bead-on-a-string knots rather than continuous strands.
Each knot, termed a “cosmic pearl,” measures about four light-days in diameter.
The knots’ uniform size and alignment present a new feature for investigating stellar death.

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Story summary

U.S. astronomers obtained the most detailed image of the Pa 30 nebula with Gemini North in Hawaii.
The photograph shows roughly ten times more structures than any earlier view of the supernova remnant.
Researchers found the filaments consist of bead-on-a-string knots rather than continuous strands.
Each knot, termed a “cosmic pearl,” measures about four light-days in diameter.
The knots’ uniform size and alignment present a new feature for investigating stellar death.