Carina Pillar and Jets
Explanation:
This cosmic pillar of gas and dust is nearly 2 light-years wide.
The structure lies within
one of our galaxy's largest star forming regions,
the Carina Nebula,
shining in
southern skies at a distance of
about 7,500 light-years.
The pillar's convoluted outlines
are shaped by the winds and radiation
of Carina's young, hot, massive stars.
But the interior of the cosmic pillar
itself is home to stars in the process of formation.
In fact, placing your cursor over this visible light image will
reveal a penetrating
near-infrared view of pillar -
now dominated by two, narrow,
energetic jets blasting outward from a
still hidden infant star.
Both
visible light and near-infrared images
were made using the Hubble Space Telescope's newly installed
Wide Field Camera 3.
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.
