JWST’s Near Infrared Camera and Mid Infrared Instrument combined image of planetary nebula NGC 2392, the Lion Nebula, against the black background of space. The nebula is at center, circular in shape, and looks like a male lion’s head. In the center is a small, pinkish-white circle with eight-point diffraction spikes, a white dwarf star. Surrounding the star are purple-pink cavernous bubbles and shell-like rings. The bubbles and shells collectively form an oval with two small, wide arcs near the top, reminiscent of a lion’s face and its ears. What appears to be extended outward from the lion’s face is a thick ring of purple-blue material. The width of the ring is consistent throughout and resembles a mane. The area closest to the lion’s face looks cloudy, while the edges of the mane look like there are clumps of dust with comet-like tails. In the background are distant galaxies and stars. Some galaxies are yellow and orange points of light and others have spiral structures. Some stars have diffraction spikes.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope imaged the planetary nebula NGC 2392, the Lion Nebula, using the observatory’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments. The central star’s remains are responsible for the nebula’s structure, including a lion face-shaped bubble of ionized gas and dust “mane.”
Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI)

Observing across the starry “plains” of space, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has taken new images of NGC 2392, nicknamed the Lion Nebula. The nebula’s “mane” is clear and detailed in this image released on Aug. 10, 2026, due to Webb’s high-resolution imaging.

See more images of the Lion Nebula from Webb.

Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI)

Source: www.nasa.gov

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Naval Academy Graduates Make History During NFL Preseason

Marine Corps 2nd Lts. Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza made U.S. Naval Academy football history when they appeared for the Pittsburgh Steelers...

Read out all

Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert Edward Galer

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert Edward Galer was a fighter pilot during World War II and went on to serve more than...

Read out all

Signers of the Declaration of Independence: Massachusetts: Part 2

The 56 delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence are all considered Founding Fathers; Massachusetts had five delegates — three of them...

Read out all

A Gate Between Hope and Hell: A Marine's Story

Before a blast of shrapnel to his leg and arm changed his life forever, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Noah Smith spent more...

Read out all

Partners in Life, Partners in Service: Newlyweds Enlist Together

Newlyweds Lance and Riley Qualls enlisted in the Army together, building their marriage around a shared sense of purpose and sacrifice. Source:...

Read out all

Microscopic Precision, Global Impact: Navy Scientists Support Trident Missile System

The precision needed to certify the nation’s underwater nuclear deterrent is anchored on the talents of civilian scientists at Naval Surface Warfare...

Read out all