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Credit & Copyright: Danilo Pivato,
Gimmi Ratto
Explanation:
Gorgeous spiral galaxy M33 seems to have more than its fair share of
glowing hydrogen gas.
A prominent member of the local group of galaxies, M33 is also
known as the Triangulum Galaxy and
lies about 3 million light-years distant.
The galaxy's inner 30,000 light-years or so are shown in this
telescopic
portrait that enhances its reddish ionized hydrogen
clouds or HII
regions.
Sprawling along loose spiral arms that wind toward the core,
M33's
giant HII regions are some of the largest known
stellar nurseries, sites of the formation of short-lived
but very massive stars.
Intense ultraviolet radiation from the luminous, massive stars ionizes
the surrounding hydrogen gas and ultimately produces the
characteristic red glow.
To enhance this image, broadband data was used to produce a color view
of the galaxy and combined with narrowband data recorded through a
hydrogen-alpha filter.
That filter transmits the light of the strongest visible hydrogen
emission line.
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& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: hydrogen - HII region - M 33
Publications with words: hydrogen - HII region - M 33
See also: