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Credit & Copyright: Roberto Colombari
Explanation:
The Pelican Nebula is slowly being transformed.
IC 5070, the official designation, is divided from the larger
North America Nebula by a
molecular cloud filled with dark
dust.
The
Pelican,
however, receives much study because it is a particularly active mix of
star formation and evolving gas clouds.
The featured picture
was produced in three specific colors -- light emitted by
sulfur,
hydrogen, and
oxygen --
that can help us to better understand these interactions.
The light from young energetic stars is slowly transforming the cold gas to hot gas,
with the advancing boundary
between the two, known as an
ionization front, visible in bright orange on the right.
Particularly dense
tentacles of cold gas remain.
Millions of years from now this nebula might no longer
be known as the
Pelican,
as the balance and placement of stars and gas
will surely leave something that appears completely different.
Yearly Astronomy Review:
APOD editor to speak in January in
Philadelphia
and
New York City
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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: Pelican Nebula - ionization
Publications with words: Pelican Nebula - ionization
See also: