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Beta Pictoris spectra This comparison of spectra from the Spitzer Space Telescope (2004-2005) and the James Webb Space Telescope (2023) shows a dramatic change in the dust surrounding the star Beta Pictoris. Scientists believe that a massive asteroid collision, evident in the Spitzer image, has largely cleared up by the time of the JWST observations. Roberto Molar Candanosa / Johns Hopkins University, with Beta Pictoris concept art by Lynette Cook / NASA