Hubble images reveal massive young protostars in stellar nurseries.

Hubble released infrared images from the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey showing massive young protostars and their surrounding nebulae, including the 16-solar-mass protostar HW2 in Cepheus A.

The Hubble Space Telescope has released infrared images from the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey that show massive, young protostars and the gas and dust around them. These observations target regions where massive stars form and where dense dust often hides details. Hubble’s infrared sensitivity lets it detect light emerging through gaps in the natal clouds, and it can reveal jets and illuminated nebulae. The images accompany published SOMA papers and add observational detail to ongoing research into massive star formation. Key observations: - The released images come from the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey and were processed for public release. - Cepheus A, about 2,300 light-years away, appears in the images; the protostar HW2 (about 16 solar masses) contributes roughly half of Cepheus A’s brightness and is reported as growing rapidly for its type. - The region G033.91+0.11 shows a central reflection nebula formed by light from a hidden protostar scattering off nearby dust. - GAL-305.20+00.21 features an emission nebula whose gas is ionized by radiation from a massive young protostar hidden within the cloud. - IRAS 20126+4104, around 5,300 light-years away, is described as a luminous B-type object whose high-speed jets create regions of ionized hydrogen; research from 2023 reported it as a Zero-Age Main Sequence (ZAMS) star that is both accreting material and losing mass through shocks. Summary: The images provide direct views of how massive protostars interact with their surroundings, showing jets, reflection nebulae, and ionized emission that help characterize the environments of young massive stars. These observations are part of published SOMA studies and contribute data used by researchers investigating how massive stars form. Other observatories such as JWST are probing complementary wavelengths, and Hubble continues to contribute to this area of study.