FS Tau Side-by-Side (Webb and Hubble Image)

This side-by-side image compares NASA’s Hubble and James Webb space telescopes’ observations of star system FS Tau. Hubble’s observation provides a clear view of protostar FS Tau B, its dusty protoplanetary disk, and an astrophysical jet, assigned the color cyan in this image. However, the visible light from background stars and galaxies is extinguished by thick clouds of dust in the region. 

In infrared light, Webb can see through the dust to reveal the scene in greater detail, including FS Tau A, a pair of protostars that creates the largest diffraction pattern slightly to the left of center, and FS Tau B, the protostar slightly right of center. The reddish-orange outflows are most likely being emitted by FS Tau B. The star’s jets are responsible for compressing some of the nearby dust, creating ridges seen here as light blue. Webb also reveals a tapestry of background galaxies, which vary in color depending on the amount of dust in the foreground.