|
Credit & Copyright: Fred Vanderhaven
Explanation:
The eggs from this chicken may form into stars.
The above pictured emission nebula, cataloged as
IC 2944,
is called the
Running Chicken
Nebula for the shape of its greater appearance.
The image was taken recently from
Siding Spring Observatory in
Australia
and presented in scientifically assigned colors.
Seen near the center of the image are small, dark
molecular clouds rich in obscuring
cosmic dust.
Called Thackeray's Globules for their
discoverer, these "eggs"
are potential
sites for the gravitational condensation of new stars, although their fates are uncertain
as they
are also being rapidly
eroded away
by the intense radiation from nearby young stars.
Together
with patchy glowing gas and complex regions of reflecting dust,
these massive and energetic stars form the
open cluster
Collinder 249.
This gorgeous
skyscape spans about 70 light-years
at the nebula's estimated 6,000
light-year distance.
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: IC 2944
Publications with words: IC 2944
See also: