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Credit & Copyright: Jason Jennings
(cosmicphotos)
Explanation:
Can a gas cloud grab a galaxy?
It's not even close.
The "claw" of this odd looking "creature" 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.
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 the globule
is huge, very far in the distance, and only placed near
CG4 by chance superposition.
Best Space Images:
Free APOD Lecture in Paris on June 17
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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
Publications with keywords: cometary globule
Publications with words: cometary globule
See also: