Astronomy Picture of the Day
    


Massive Star Forming Region DR21 in Infrared
<< Yesterday 14.04.2004 Tomorrow >>
Massive Star Forming Region DR21 in Infrared
Credit & Copyright: A. Marston (ESTEC/ESA) et al., JPL, Caltech, NASA
Explanation: Deep in the normally hidden recesses of giant molecular cloud DR21, a stellar nursery has been found creating some of the most massive stars yet recorded. The orbiting Spitzer Space Telescope's Infrared Array Camera opened the window into the cloud last year in mid- infrared light. The cloud is opaque to visible light because of dense interstellar dust. Noticeable in the above representative color infrared Spitzer image are huge bubbles, a complex tapestry of dust and gas, and very massive stars. The infrared filaments actually glow because of organic compounds known as PAHs. The intricate patterns are caused by complex interactions between interstellar winds, radiation pressures, magnetic fields, and gravity. The pictured region spans about 75 light years and lies about 6,000 light years distant toward the constellation of Cygnus.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
 < April 2004  >
Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su



1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930

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.

Based on Astronomy Picture Of the Day

Publications with keywords: star formation - stellar nursery
Publications with words: star formation - stellar nursery
See also:
All publications on this topic >>