|
Credit & Copyright: G. Bernstein (U. Mich.),
Big Throughput Camera,
4-m Blanco Telescope, CTIO, Chile
Explanation:
Stars are forming even today in the Lagoon
Nebula. This bright nebula is visible in the constellation of Sagittarius
with binoculars. The above photo
is the result of a new sensitive camera
being attached to one of the world's
largest telescopes.
Curtains of collapsing hydrogen are shown above in green, highlighted
by a special filter that isolates light from this specific atom.
Many young stars are evident in the open cluster M8
in the Lagoon, the result of previously collapsed gas clouds.
Many of the stars appear red because of the high amount of dust
in the Lagoon Nebula.
Red light penetrates dust clouds best, although enough dust will
block all visible light and leave a dark nebula.
4-m Blanco Telescope, CTIO, Chile
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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