NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured stunning images of the PMR1 nebula, located 5,000 light-years away, using two different wavelength filters that highlight its brain-like appearance, leading to its nickname, 'Skull Nebula.' This planetary nebula, formed from gas and dust expelled by dying stars, showcases its intricate structure in a way that varies depending on the observational methods used. The outer hydrogen gas layer is prominently shown in white, while a thick black band interrupts the nebula's center, resembling the division of a brain's hemispheres. This black band might result from explosive events or material eruptions from the central star, creating opposing jets of gas, further elucidated by infrared imaging that documents the dynamic processes occurring within the nebula.

The future of the Skull Nebula hinges on the mass of its central star. Should the central star exceed eight solar masses, it will culminate in a supernova explosion. In contrast, if it has a mass similar to that of the Sun, it will shed its outer layers and ultimately develop into a white dwarf, which typically is about the size of Earth but possesses a mass hundreds of thousands of times greater. The weight of just a teaspoon of material from a white dwarf can outweigh a pickup truck, showcasing the dense nature of these remnants.

Over billions of years, white dwarfs cool gradually, emitting visible light that transitions from bluish-white to red. Additionally, scientists are interested in the dusty disks that often form around white dwarfs, which could hold clues about the future evolution of stars and planetary systems. The observations made by JWST represent a significant step in astrophysics, offering insights into stellar life cycles and the fascinating structures formed through the death of stars.