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Credit & Copyright: Matthew Dieterich
Explanation:
Stars are forming in the gigantic dust pillar called the Cone Nebula.
Cones, pillars, and majestic
flowing shapes abound in
stellar nurseries where clouds of gas and dust are
sculpted by energetic winds from newborn stars.
The Cone Nebula,
a well-known example, lies within the bright galactic star-forming region
NGC 2264.
The featured image of the Cone
was captured recently combining 24-hours of exposure with a half-meter telescope
at the
El Sauce Observatory in
Chile.
Located about 2,500
light-years
away toward the constellation of the Unicorn
(Monoceros),
the Cone Nebula's
conical pillar
extends about 7 light-years.
The massive star
NGC 2264 IRS, is the
likely source
of the wind sculpting the
Cone Nebula and lies off the top of the image.
The Cone Nebula's reddish veil is
produced by glowing hydrogen gas.
Discovery + Outreach:
Graduate student research position open for APOD
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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: Cone nebula
Publications with words: Cone nebula
See also: