LDN 1471: A Windblown Star Cavity
Explanation:
What is the cause of this unusual parabolic structure?
This illuminated cavity, known as
LDN 1471, was created by a newly forming
star,
seen as the bright source at the peak of the
parabola.
This
protostar
is experiencing a
stellar outflow which is then interacting with the surrounding material in the
Perseus Molecular
Cloud,
causing it to brighten.
We see only one side of the cavity -- the other side is hidden by dark
dust.
The
parabolic shape is caused by the widening of the
stellar-wind blown cavity over time.
Two additional structures can also be seen either side of the
protostar, these are known as
Herbig-Haro objects,
again caused by the interaction of the outflow with the surrounding material.
What causes the
striations on the cavity walls, though,
remains unknown.
The featured image was taken by NASA and ESAБs
Hubble Space Telescope after an original detection by the
Spitzer Space Telescope.
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.
