英仙座分子云的星尘

英仙座分子云的星尘

Stardust in the Perseus Molecular Cloud
Image Credit & Copyright: Jeff Schilling

Explanation: Clouds of stardust drift through this deep skyscape, across the Perseus molecular cloud some 850 light-years away. Dusty nebulae reflecting light from embedded young stars stand out in the nearly 4 degree wide field of view. With a characteristic bluish color reflection nebula NGC 1333 is prominent near center. Hints of contrasting red emission from Herbig-Haro objects, the jets and shocked glowing gas emanating from recently formed stars, are scattered across the dusty expanse. While many stars are forming in the molecular cloud, most are obscured at visible wavelengths by the pervasive dust. The chaotic environment surrounding NGC 1333 may be similar to one in which our own Sun formed over 4.5 billion years ago. At the estimated distance of the Perseus molecular cloud, this cosmic scene would span about 80 light-years.

Growing Gallery: Comet ATLAS (G3)
Tomorrow’s picture: comet tails

英仙座分子云的星尘
影像提供与版权: Jeff Schilling

说明: 远在850光年之外的英仙座分子云里的尘埃星云，正在飘过这片深空星野。上面这幅宽约4度的深空望远镜影像，记录了因反射内部恒星的星光而现身的尘埃云。其中，带着特征泛蓝色泽的反射星云NGC 1333，为影像中心处最醒目的星云。NGC 1333因拥有受喷流激发而发出泛红辉光的赫比格─哈罗天体，暗示其内藏有刚诞生的恒星。其实，恒星正形成于英仙座分子云各处，不过在可见光波段，它们受到无所不在的尘埃之遮挡，大多隐不可见。NGC 1333的混乱环境，或许和45亿年前诞生太阳的星云类似。以英仙座分子云的估计距离来换算，这片宇宙视野宽约80光年。

不断扩大的画廊: 阿特拉斯彗星
明日的图片: comet tails