On January 30, 2025, NASA and ESA released a striking image from the Hubble Space Telescope showcasing the Orion Nebula (Messier 42, M42), the closest star-forming region to Earth, located approximately 1,500 light-years away.
This nebula is a vibrant cradle for hundreds of newborn stars, including two protostars named HOPS 150 and HOPS 153, which are the focus of the latest observations.
HOPS 150, visible in the upper-right corner of the image, is a binary star system where two young protostars orbit each other, each encircled by a dusty disk. These disks provide material for the stars' growth. A massive cloud of gas and dust, over 2,000 times wider than the distance between Earth and the Sun, is falling onto the protostars.
Measurements of infrared light from HOPS 150 indicate that these protostars are progressing towards maturity.
On the left side of the image, a colorful outflow, or jet, emanates from the nearby protostar HOPS 153, which is still deeply embedded in its birth nebula and obscured by dense gas. Although Hubble cannot visualize HOPS 153 directly, its jet is clearly observable as it interacts with the surrounding material.
The evolution of HOPS 153 into a fully developed star will have significant implications for its environment. As gas accumulates, the protostar emits jets that disperse material and energy into space, potentially influencing the formation of new stars in the vicinity and moderating its own growth.