A breathtaking new celestial portrait has been revealed, showing a vast cosmic structure that bears an uncanny resemblance to a butterfly with wings outstretched.
A Student-Selected Target
This remarkable image was captured by the powerful Gemini South telescope located in Chile. The observing target, however, was not chosen by professional astronomers alone. Chilean schoolchildren selected this astronomical target as part of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the International Gemini Observatory's operation.
The National Science Foundation's NoirLab officially released the picture on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, showcasing the result of this unique educational collaboration.
Unveiling the Cosmic Butterfly
The aptly named Butterfly Nebula resides at a staggering distance of 2,500 to 3,800 light-years from Earth within the constellation of Scorpius. To comprehend this distance, a single light-year spans an incredible six trillion miles.
At the very heart of this beautiful nebula lies a white dwarf star. This aging star long ago expelled its outer layers of gas into the void of space. These discarded gases now form the nebula's distinctive, billowing wings, which glow brightly due to the intense heat still radiating from the central star.
The final image presents a stunning look at a complex and beautiful stage of stellar evolution, all made possible by the curious minds of the next generation.
