M17: Omega Nebula Star Factory
Explanation:
In the depths of the dark clouds of dust and
molecular gas known as M17, stars continue to form.
Visible in the
above recently released representative-color photograph of
M17
by the
New Technology Telescope are
clouds so dark that they appear almost empty of near
infrared light.
The darkness of these
molecular clouds
results from background starlight being absorbed by
thick carbon-based smoke-sized
dust.
As bright massive stars form, they produce intense
and energetic light that slowly
boils away the dark shroud.
M17's unusual
appearance has garnered it such
nicknames as the Omega Nebula, the Horseshoe Nebula,
and the Swan Nebula.
M17,
visible with binoculars towards the constellation of
Sagittarius, lies 5000
light-years away and spans 20 light-years across.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
