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Credit & Copyright: X-ray;
Y.Nazé, G.Rauw, J.Manfroid
(Université de Liège),
CXC,
NASA
Infrared; E.Churchwell (University of Wisconsin), JPL, Caltech, NASA
Explanation:
Dusty stellar nursery
RCW 49 surrounds young star cluster
Westerlund 2 in this remarkable composite skyscape
from beyond the visible
spectrum of light.
Infrared
data from the Spitzer Space Telescope is shown in
black and white, complimenting the Chandra
X-ray
image data (in false color) of the hot energetic stars
within the cluster's central region.
Looking toward the
grand
southern constellation
Centaurus, both
views
reveal stars and
structures hidden from optical telescopes by obscuring dust.
Westerlund 2
itself is a mere 2 million years old or
less, and contains some of our galaxy's most luminous, massive
and therefore
short-lived stars.
The infrared signatures
of proto-planetary disks have also been
identified in the intense star forming region.
At the cluster's estimated distance of 20,000 light-years,
the square marking the Chandra field of view would be
about 50 light-years on a side.
Infrared; E.Churchwell (University of Wisconsin), JPL, Caltech, NASA
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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 cluster - star formation - stellar nursery
Publications with words: star cluster - star formation - stellar nursery
See also:
- NGC 1893 and the Tadpoles of IC 410
- APOD: 2024 January 15 Á Star Cluster IC 348 from Webb
- APOD: 2023 December 10 Á Big Dipper over Pyramid Mountain
- Star Factory Messier 17
- APOD: 2023 August 28 Á Star Formation in the Pacman Nebula
- APOD: 2023 July 10 Á Stars, Dust and Nebula in NGC 6559
- NGC 1333: Stellar Nursery in Perseus