This image is from Webb’s MIRI in the mid-infrared. In thousands of years, these delicate, gaseous layers will dissipate into surrounding space.

The Southern Ring nebula is called a planetary nebula. Despite “planet” in the name, which comes from how these objects first appeared to astronomers observing them hundreds of years ago, these are shells of dust and gas shed by dying Sun-like stars. The new details from Webb will transform our understanding of how stars evolve and influence their environments.