Centaur 29P Outgassing (NIRSpec)

Extended Description

Graphic titled “Centaur 29P Outgassing: NIRSpec, Prism Integral Field Unit” with maps showing the abundances of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide surrounding Centaur 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 at the left, and two artist’s concepts with graphic overlays showing jets of CO₂ and CO emanating from the centaur at the right. White and yellow logo text in the bottom right corner reads “Webb Space Telescope.”

Maps

The two maps are arranged vertically, with the map labeled CO₂ at the top and the map labeled CO at the bottom. Both maps are square, with both the vertical and horizontal axes labeled “Distance from nucleus (km).” On both maps, the vertical scale ranges from negative 4,000 kilometers at the bottom to positive 4,000 kilometers at the top, labeled in even increments of 1,000 kilometers, beginning at negative 3,000 and ending at positive 3,000. The horizontal scale ranges from negative 4,000 kilometers at the left to positive 4,000 kilometers at the right, with labels at negative 2,000, 0, and positive 2,000.

At the center of each map (coordinates 0, 0) is a black square representing Centaur 29P’s nucleus.

Above the maps is a color scale bar titled “Abundance” that starts as dark red at the left before gradually changing to blue, then yellow, and ends as white at the right. The left end (dark red) is labeled “Low” while the right end (white) is labeled “High.” The blue area of the bar represents low-intermediate abundance, while the yellow area is high-intermediate abundance.

The top map shows the distribution and abundance of CO₂ gas around Centaur 29P’s nucleus. Two yellow-white (high abundance of CO₂) bulbous plumes extend from the black square on the map, one reaching above and one below. The regions to the left and right of the nucleus on the map are purple-blue in color (low-intermediate to low abundance of CO₂). The lower left and right corners of the map are black.

The bottom map is similar to the top map, but shows the distribution and abundance of CO around Centaur 29P’s nucleus. A single yellow-white (high-intermediate to high abundance of CO) bulbous plume extends from the black square toward the top left corner. The regions immediately to the left and right of the gas plume on the map are purple-blue (low-intermediate to low abundance of CO), while the lower diagonal half of the map is dark blue and red (very low abundance of CO). The lower left and right corners are black.

Artist's Concepts

At right is an artist’s concept of Centaur 29P with graphic overlays and labeled features. Centaur 29P is depicted as a light brown body with a rocky surface. The centaur’s nucleus is bilobed, resembling the simplified shape of a peanut. Emanating from the central surface area of Centaur 29P are many purple lines that connect to a large purple circle, similar to a wheel with spokes. The purple circle is labeled “CO and CO₂ Jet Toward Telescope.” Two gray cones extend from the top (north) and bottom (south) ends of the nucleus, one points upward and the other points downward. Both of the gray cones are labeled “CO₂ Jet.” The top end of the body also has a blue cone extending upward (in the north direction) and is labeled “CO Jet.”

Toward the lower right corner is a small square labeled “Side View” that shows a side view of the artist’s concept of Centaur 29P with the same graphic overlays. From this perspective, the purple front jet points toward the left. The gray cones that represent the CO₂ jets are still pointing in the north and south directions, and the blue CO jet is pointing toward the north.

Image Alt Text

Graphic titled “Centaur 29P Outgassing: NIRSpec Prism Integral Field Unit” with maps showing the abundances of C O and C O 2 surrounding Centaur 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 at the left, and two artist’s concepts with graphic overlays showing jets of CO and C O 2 emanating from the centaur at the right.