Did JWST catch the Ring Nebula forming new planets?
Briefly

The Sun's evolution into a red giant will consume Mercury, Venus, and likely Earth, while mass loss may displace the Oort cloud and Kuiper belt. The expected remnant white dwarf could ionize ejected material. Recent JWST research into the Ring Nebula, located roughly 2000 light-years from Earth, identifies a compact dust cloud around its central star, which shows chemical diversity and resembles young protoplanetary systems. This might signify a new phase of planet formation in white dwarf systems, challenging previous assumptions about planetary development post-stellar death.
At around 2000 light-years away, the Ring Nebula is the closest planetary nebula to Earth, showcasing diverse chemical compounds and unique structures.
New JWST research highlights a compact dust cloud around the central star, suggesting similarities to young protoplanetary disks, indicating a possible new planet-forming phase.
Read at Big Think
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