Outside this torus, JWST data reveal a layered distribution of ions and molecules, with high-energy elements closer to the center and lower-energy compounds farther away. This intricate layering shows how stellar energy organizes matter — from heavy metals to carbon-based molecules like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are critical to organic chemistry.
Ultimately, the Cosmic Butterfly serves as a vivid reminder that matter in the universe is endlessly recycled. The same metals and carbon compounds ejected by this nebula mirror the ingredients that once seeded our solar system, leading to the birth of Earth itself.
