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Credit & Copyright: Martin Pugh
Explanation:
The eggs from this gigantic chicken may form into stars.
The featured emission nebula, shown in scientifically assigned colors, is cataloged
as
IC 2944 but known as the
Running Chicken
Nebula for the shape of its greater appearance.
Seen toward the top of the image are small, dark
molecular clouds rich in obscuring
cosmic dust.
Called Thackeray's Globules for their
discoverer,
these "eggs" are potential sites for the
gravitational
condensation of new stars,
although their fates are uncertain as they are also being rapidly
eroded away
by the intense radiation from nearby young stars.
Together
with patchy glowing gas and complex regions of reflecting dust,
these massive and energetic stars form the
open cluster
Collinder 249.
This gorgeous skyscape spans about 60 light-years
at the nebula's estimated 6,000
light-year distance.
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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 2944
Publications with words: IC 2944
See also: