A Radio Vista of Cygnus
Explanation:
Shells of ancient
supernovas, cocoons surrounding
newborn stars, and specks from
distant quasars highlight this
tremendous vista toward the
constellation of
Cygnus.
The
representative color image covers about 10 degrees
across on the sky but is only a small part of the
Canadian Galactic Plane Survey in
radio light.
Diffuse bands of
ionized gas flow though a dominating region of
star formation, located about 6000
light-years away.
Two prominent
supernova shells visible include the
brown globule on the lower left and the
white bumpy sphere on the upper right.
To the left of the brown globule is the entire
North America Nebula.
Prominent stellar
cocoons
are visible throughout the image as bright white knots.
Some of these stars will likely generate future
supernova shells.
Far in the distance, visible here as only red dots,
quasars glow.
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.
