Munich, Germany — The renowned “Cosmic Cliffs” image captured by the James Webb Space Telescope has taken on an exciting new form. Scientists have transformed this breathtaking snapshot into a dynamic three-dimensional visualization that invites viewers to explore a dazzling nursery of stars. This innovative presentation was unveiled during a special centennial event celebrating the first public planetarium, hosted by the International Planetarium Society.
The original Cosmic Cliffs image, first revealed in July 2022, showcases a rugged wall of gas and dust, giving the impression of starlit mountains. Located within the Carina Nebula Complex, this towering formation is part of the nebula Gum 31. Above the visible segment of the image lies the young star cluster NGC 3324, whose powerful ultraviolet light and stellar winds have carved out a vast cavity, clearly defined by the Cosmic Cliffs at its edge.
NASA’s latest 3D visualization enhances the original two-dimensional image, providing depth perception that allows audiences to appreciate the towering peaks and deep valleys of this cosmic landscape. Streams of heated gas drift upward, resembling mist over a ridge, while bright jets of energy emerge from newly formed stars.
“Transforming this stunning Webb image into a life-like experience helps the public grasp the intricate three-dimensional structures inherent in the original photograph,” said Frank Summers, a visualization scientist with the Space Telescope Science Institute, which created the animation in collaboration with partners from Caltech/IPAC. This engaging format is specifically designed for planetariums, educational museums, and classrooms, linking the compelling visuals to the techniques astronomers use to study star formation.
The premiere in Munich commemorates one hundred years since the city opened the world’s first public planetarium. Today, nearly 200 locations across the United States feature ViewSpace, a free exhibit created by NASA’s Universe of Learning. The Cosmic Cliffs fly-through will join this platform, accompanied by an online resource page focusing on the Carina Nebula Complex.
Located about 7,600 light-years away in the southern constellation Carina, Gum 31 is composed mainly of hydrogen, helium, and cosmic dust. The stars within the NGC 3324 cluster are mere millions of years old, and their intense radiation significantly impacts the surrounding gas clouds, shaping the areas above the cliffs. The denser regions give rise to towering pillars, where gravity compresses material, eventually igniting the formation of new stars. Webb’s advanced infrared capabilities reveal these hidden embryonic stars that optical telescopes previously could not detect.
The visual effects used in this new portrayal are crafted from scientific data, woven into a digital mesh that mimics the underlying density and distance of the structures represented. The artistic team collaborated with astrophysicists to ensure accuracy while creating a vivid and immersive experience.
NASA’s Universe of Learning integrates various missions, including Webb, Hubble, Chandra, and Spitzer, to engage the public in core astronomical questions. As part of NASA’s Science Activation network, it connects scientists with educators to foster curiosity and understanding about the universe.
Since its launch in late 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has revolutionized astronomical research, revealing the atmospheres of exoplanets, uncovering some of the universe’s earliest galaxies, and enhancing our understanding of cosmic structures. The Cosmic Cliffs image quickly became iconic, and transforming it into a 3D experience represents another leap in public engagement, showcasing Webb’s capability to uncover details hidden by cosmic dust.
Future initiatives from the AstroViz team aim to create similar 3D representations for additional Webb highlights, with developments that may empower viewers to navigate nebulae through virtual reality. For now, the new visualization will be distributed to planetariums worldwide, inviting audiences to soar above the cosmic scene, witness the vibrant gas flows, and marvel at the activity of newborn stars.
With this innovative approach, the James Webb Space Telescope continues to inspire awe, making complex cosmic phenomena accessible and engaging to people around the globe.