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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня W5: душа звездообразования http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1372074/eng |
Credit & Copyright: JosИ JimИnez Priego
(Astromet)
Explanation:
Where do stars form?
Many times, stars form in energetic regions where gas and dark dust are pushed around
in chaotic mayhem.
Pictured, bright massive stars near the center of
W5, the
Soul Nebula,
are exploding and emitting
ionizing light and
energetic winds.
The outward-moving light and gas push away and
evaporate
much surrounding gas and
dust, but leave
pillars of gas behind
dense protective knots.
Inside these knots, though,
stars also form.
The
featured image highlights the inner sanctum of W5,
an arena spanning about 1,000
light years
that is rich in
star forming pillars.
The Soul Nebula, also cataloged as
IC 1848,
lies about 6,500 light years away toward the constellation of the
Queen of Aethopia
(Cassiopeia).
Likely, in few
hundred million years, only a
cluster of the resulting stars will remain.
Then, these stars will
drift apart.
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.