This dusty cosmic cloud almost looks like tower on its side and is in silhouette against the large star field of Scorpius. Spanning over 40 light-years, clumps of dust and molecular gas collapsing to form stays might lurk within the dark nebula. Known as a cometary globule, the swept-black cloud is shaped by intense ultraviolet radiation from the OB association of hot stars in NGC 6231, which is off the left side of the image. The same energetic ultraviolet light also powers the globule's bordering reddish glow of hydrogen gas. Hot stars embedded in the dust can be seen as small bluish reflection nebulae. This dark tower, NGC 6231, and associated nebulae are around 5000 light-years away. This looks amazing, and to think that this image spans over 40 light-years and encompasses this many stars is incredible.
Friday, May 9, 2008
APOD 4.6
This dusty cosmic cloud almost looks like tower on its side and is in silhouette against the large star field of Scorpius. Spanning over 40 light-years, clumps of dust and molecular gas collapsing to form stays might lurk within the dark nebula. Known as a cometary globule, the swept-black cloud is shaped by intense ultraviolet radiation from the OB association of hot stars in NGC 6231, which is off the left side of the image. The same energetic ultraviolet light also powers the globule's bordering reddish glow of hydrogen gas. Hot stars embedded in the dust can be seen as small bluish reflection nebulae. This dark tower, NGC 6231, and associated nebulae are around 5000 light-years away. This looks amazing, and to think that this image spans over 40 light-years and encompasses this many stars is incredible.
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