Credit & Copyright: Anglo-Australian Telescope
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Explanation:
The odd looking "creature" to the right of center in the above photo is a
gas cloud known as a cometary globule. This globule,
however, has ruptured. Cometary globules are typically characterized by
dusty
heads and elongated tails. These features cause cometary globules to
have visual similarities to
comets, but in reality they are very much
different. Cometary globules are frequently the birthplaces of
stars, and
many show very young stars in their heads. The reason for the rupture in
the head of this object is not completely known. The galaxy to the left of
center is very far in the distance and is only placed near CG4 by chance
superposition.
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.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day