The James Webb Space Telescope captures a ghostly view of the Pillars of Creation

there is released another image that the James Webb Space Telescope captured the Pillars of Creation. Although it provides a detailed view of the stars forming in the region, the latter is a ghostlier and more ethereal image.

Bathed in orange and black, the image captured by Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) is certainly timely, given that Halloween is just a few days away. says the imaging provides a new perspective on the pillars of creation, with an emphasis on gas and dust in the region.

Last week’s image was taken with Webb’s Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), which was able to peer through the dust columns to observe thousands of new stars in the region in more detail than before. However, many of the stars are not bright enough to shine at the wavelengths that MIRI focuses on.

NASA says that with this image, astronomers have higher-resolution mid-infrared light data than has been available in the past. The agency notes that researchers will observe more precise dust movements to form a more complete 3D landscape of the Pillars of Creation. This will help develop a deeper understanding of how stars form.

The Pillars of Creation are located in the Eagle Nebula, about 6,500 light years away. In case you’re wondering how vast the whole thing is, look at the bright red star that sticks out from the right side of the top pillar, about halfway up. NASA says the star and its dusty mantle are larger than our entire solar system, which may or may not cause an existential crisis or two. Have a wonderful Halloween weekend.