The stars dust rings give the system the appearance of a trees cross-section, but on a stellar scale.
Wolf-Rayet stars are supernovae in the making.
When the stars do eventually die, they energetically expel their material out into space in a brilliant supernova.
Wolf-Rayet 140 as seen in 2022.Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI.; Science: Emma Lieb (University of Denver), Ryan Lau (NSF NOIRLab), Jennifer Hoffman (University of Denver)
The star system has issued more than 17 dust shells out into space over the past 130 years.
The systems oldest shells have dissipated to the extent that they are no longer detectable.
The stars winds collide and material compresses into a carbon-rich dust, which is flung out into space.
Wolf-Rayet 140 in mid-infrared light. Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Science: Emma Lieb (University of Denver), Ryan Lau (NSF NOIRLab), Jennifer Hoffman (University of Denver)
Mid-infrared observations are absolutely crucial for this analysis, since the dust in this system is fairly cool.
Its not clear exactly whenor howthe Wolf-Rayet star in the system will die.
The star may go supernova, or could collapse into a black hole.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
As for the Moon, not so much.
