Credit & Copyright: Antonio Fernandez
Explanation:
(xxxedit and linkxxx)
The prominent ridge of emission featured in
this dramatic skyscape
is cataloged as IC 5067.
Part of a larger emission nebula with a distinctive shape,
popularly called
The Pelican Nebula, the ridge spans about
10 light-years following the
curve of the cosmic pelican's head and neck.
This false color
view also translates narrow band emission lines
from atoms in the nebula to a
color palate made popular in
Hubble Space Telescope images of star forming regions.
Fantastic dark shapes inhabiting the 1/2 degree wide field,
are clouds of cool gas and dust sculpted by the winds and radiation
from hot, massive stars.
Close-ups
of some of the sculpted clouds show clear signs of newly
forming stars.
The Pelican Nebula, itself cataloged as IC 5070, is about
2,000 light-years away.
To find
the larger region, look northeast of bright
star Deneb in the
high flying constellation Cygnus.
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
|
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: IC 5070 - Pelican Nebula
Publications with words: IC 5070 - Pelican Nebula
See also: