AFGL 2591: A Massive Star Acts Up
Explanation:
Young star AFGL 2591 is putting on a show.
The massive star is expelling outer layers of
dust-laced gas as
gravity pulls inner material toward the surface.
AFGL 2591 is estimated to be about one million years old --
much younger than our own
Sun's 5 billion-year age -- and has created a
nebula over 500 times the diameter of our
Solar System in just the past 10,000 years.
The
above image in
infrared light is one of the first from the new
NIRI instrument mounted on one of the
largest
ground-based optical telescopes in the world:
Gemini North.
Sharp details are discernable that are blocked by opaque
dust in
visible-light images.
Close inspection of
the image reveals at least four expanding rings,
indicating an episodic origin to the mysterious activity.
AFGL 2591 lies about 3000
light years away toward the
constellation of
Cygnus.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
