The mid‑infrared image, captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and released on 29 October 2026, highlights the intricate structures within the Cat’s Head Nebula. The nebula’s characteristic “cat’s head” silhouette likely formed over time as intense ultraviolet radiation and stellar winds from massive stars in the Carina Nebula eroded the surrounding gas and dust, while the denser material of the feline‑shaped pillar resisted erosion.
Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)