Astronomers Unveil 400 Rings in NGC 1333, Solving Star Formation Mystery

A breakthrough in understanding star formation has emerged from the Perseus Molecular Cloud, where astronomers have identified an astonishing 400 ring-like structures surrounding the young star system SVS 13. This discovery, published on December 16, 2025, in the journal Nature Astronomy, provides crucial insights into the processes that govern how stars form and evolve.

Located approximately 1,000 light-years away, the reflection nebula NGC 1333 has long fascinated scientists. It is often referred to as the Embryo Nebula due to the presence of numerous hot, young stars. These celestial bodies are responsible for illuminating the surrounding gas and dust, creating a vibrant landscape of stellar birth that remains hidden from the naked eye.

Researchers utilized the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to capture high-resolution, three-dimensional images of a jet emitted from SVS 13. The images revealed a staggering array of over 400 ultra-thin, bow-shaped molecular rings, which represent the aftermath of energetic outbursts from the star’s early life. Each ring acts like a time capsule, marking significant events in the star’s development.

The youngest ring corresponds to a notable outburst observed in the early 1990s, illustrating a direct link between specific bursts of activity and changes in the speed of the star’s jet. This relationship suggests that violent bursts in jet activity are likely triggered by large amounts of gas falling onto the young star.

Gary Fuller, a professor at the University of Manchester and co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of these findings. He stated, “These images give us a completely new way of reading a young star’s history. Each group of rings is effectively a time-stamp of a past eruption. It gives us an important new insight into how young stars grow and how their developing planetary systems are shaped.”

Understanding these processes is critical for astronomers as they seek to piece together the complex puzzle of star formation. The findings from NGC 1333 not only validate long-standing theoretical models but also open new avenues for research into the dynamics of star systems and their surrounding environments.

This research marks a significant advancement in astrophysics, offering a deeper comprehension of the mechanisms that drive star formation. As technology in astronomical observation continues to evolve, it is likely that further discoveries will shed light on the intricate processes that govern the universe.