Composing the Omega Nebula
Explanation:
The Omega Nebula is a massive, complex cloud of
dust and gas from which new stars are continually forming.
The similarity to the
Greek letter capital Omega gives the
molecular cloud its popular name,
but the nebula is also known as the
Swan Nebula, the Horseshoe Nebula, and
M17.
Detailed features such as thin
filaments of emission by
diffuse dust and
dark clouds of absorption by
dense dust are visible in
this recently released picture.
The image highlights
infrared light emitted by large
molecules known as
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
a gas similar to
car exhaust that traces
carbon and interstellar
dust.
PAHs may be an intermediate step between
smaller molecules and large
interstellar dust
grains.
The origin of
PAHs is currently unknown but thought by
some astronomers to form in the cool atmospheres of young
carbon stars and to be dispersed by their
stellar winds.
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.
