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.
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.
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,
pictured
above,
is 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.
