Astronomy Picture of the Day
    


NGC 1999: South of Orion
<< Yesterday 24.02.2011 Tomorrow >>
NGC 1999: South of Orion
Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, U. Arizona
Explanation: South of the large star-forming region known as the Orion Nebula, lies bright blue reflection nebula NGC 1999. Also at the edge of the Orion molecular cloud complex some 1,500 light-years distant, NGC 1999's illumination is provided by the embedded variable star V380 Orionis. The nebula is marked with a dark sideways T-shape near center in this broad cosmic vista that spans over 10 light-years. The dark shape was once assumed to be an obscuring dust cloud seen in silhouette against the bright reflection nebula. But recent infrared images indicate the shape is likely a hole blown through the nebula itself by energetic young stars. In fact, this region abounds with energetic young stars producing jets and outflows that create luminous shock waves. Cataloged as Herbig-Haro (HH) objects, named for astronomers George Herbig and Guillermo Haro, the shocks appear bright red in this view that includes HH1 and HH2 just below NGC 1999. The stellar jets and outflows push through the surrounding material at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per second.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
 < February 2011  >
Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su

123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28





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: NGC 1999 - reflection nebula - star formation
Publications with words: NGC 1999 - reflection nebula - star formation
See also:
All publications on this topic >>