V838 Monocerotis - JWST

V838 Monocerotis (Nova Monocerotis 2002) is a spectroscopic binary star system in the constellation Monoceros about 19,000 light years from the Sun. The previously unremarked star was observed in early 2002 experiencing a major outburst, and was possibly one of the largest known stars for a short period following the outburst. Originally believed to be a typical nova eruption, it was then identified as the first of a new class of eruptive variables known as luminous red novae. The reason for the outburst is still uncertain, but several conjectures have been put forward, including an eruption related to stellar death processes and a merger of a binary star or planets.⁣ ⁣ This image was created from raw FITS data downloaded from the JWST archive and processed with PixInsight.⁣ ⁣ 3 files captured using the JWST's f435, f606 and f814 IR filters were mapped to the Blue, Green and Red channels respectively to produce this image.⁣