This mesmerising image from the Webb telescope is a gift from a star in the past. Cassiopeia, a supernova remnant in near-infrared light, looks like a bright ornament.

Thanks to Webb's sensitive observing capability, even the tiniest knots of sulphur, oxygen, argon and neon gas emanating from the star can be detected. The dust and molecules in these gas clouds will eventually form new stars and planets.

Did you notice that little speck in the lower right corner? Scientists think it looks like a small version of Cassiopeia A, so they have named it Baby Cas A. Baby Cas A is actually a light echo: Light from the supernova has reached the distant dust cloud in this small region and heated it up. Although Baby Cas A appears to be very close to the Cas A remnant, it is actually located about 170 light years behind the supernova remnant.

In the two years since its launch, Webb has continued to mesmerise us with amazing images of the universe. We look forward to equally impressive scientific discoveries and dazzling images in the new year.