The planetary nebula Red Spider (NGC 6537) has been captured in a new image by the James Webb Telescope, showcasing the final stages of Sun-like stars' evolution. When these stars become red giants, they shed outer layers, exposing their hot cores that transform into white dwarfs. The central star's ultraviolet radiation ionizes the ejected matter, causing it to glow, a phase that lasts tens of thousands of years.
In the image, the central star of the Red Spider shines brighter than the surrounding dust and gas threads, resembling a "web-like" structure. While only one star is visible at the Nebula's center, there might be a concealed companion star nearby. The potential presence of this stellar pair could elucidate the distinct narrow "waist" and expansive nebular outflows observed in the Red Spider Nebula.
