The Cocoon Nebula from CFHT
Explanation:
What creates the colors of the Cocoon Nebula?
The
Cocoon Nebula, cataloged as
IC 5146, is a
strikingly beautiful nebula located about 4,000
light years away toward the
constellation of the Swan
(
Cygnus).
Inside the
Cocoon Nebula is a newly developing
open cluster
of stars.
Like other
stellar nurseries,
the Cocoon Nebula holds, at the same time, a bright red
emission nebula, blue
reflection nebulas, and dark
absorption nebulas.
Given different mixtures, these three processes create a host of colors in
this image taken recently by the
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) in
Hawaii, USA.
Speculation based on
recent measurements holds
that the massive star towards the left of
the picture opened a hole in an existing
molecular cloud
through which much of the glowing material flows.
The same star, which formed about 100,000 years ago,
now provides the energy source for much of the emitted and
reflected light from this nebula.
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.
