Reflections Of Orion
Explanation:
The Orion Nebula and
its surroundings present skygazers with a
wondrous jumble of newborn stars, gas, and dust.
Emission nebulae - glowing energized clouds of gas, and
reflection nebulae - dust clouds
shining by reflected starlight, abound at this
photogenic
cosmic location a mere 1,500 light-years or so away.
This telescopic image reveals an
intriguing nebulosity which seems to consist of dust clouds
illuminated not by starlight but by the light of the
Orion Nebula itself.
In non-telescopic views, the bright group of stars near the top
appear as the northernmost star in Orion's sword.
They are seen here illuminating the nearby dust clouds.
Yet the yellowish streamers of dust across the middle reflect
the light of
the Orion Nebula,
which lies just off the bottom edge of the photo.
Tomorrow's picture: Spiral Eddies
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.
