CG4: A Ruptured Cometary Globule
Credit & Copyright: David Malin
(AAO),
AATB
Explanation:
The odd looking "creature" to the
right of center in the above photo is a gas cloud known as a
cometary globule.
This globule, however, has ruptured.
Cometary
globules
are typically characterized by dusty
heads and elongated tails.
These features cause cometary globules
to have visual similarities to
comets,
but in reality they are very much different.
Cometary globules
are frequently the birthplaces of
stars,
and many show very young stars in their heads. The reason for
the rupture in the head of this object is not completely known.
The
galaxy to the left of center
is very far in the distance and is only placed near CG4 by chance
superposition.
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.
