|
Credit & Copyright: Z. Levay
(STScI/AURA/NASA),
T.A. Rector
(U. Alaska Anchorage) &
H. Schweiker
(NOAO/AURA/NSF),
KPNO,
NOAO
Explanation:
What created the Waterfall Nebula?
No one knows.
The structure seen in the region of
NGC 1999 in the Great
Orion Molecular Cloud complex
is one of the more mysterious structures yet found on the sky.
Designated HH-222, the elongated gaseous stream stretches about ten light years and
emits an unusual array of colors.
One hypothesis is that the gas filament results from the wind from a young star
impacting a nearby molecular cloud.
That would not explain, however, why the
Waterfall and fainter streams all appear to converge
on a bright but unusual non thermal radio source located toward the upper left of
the curving structure.
Another hypothesis is that the unusual radio source originates from a binary
system containing a hot
white dwarf,
neutron star, or
black hole, and that the Waterfall
is just a jet from this energetic system.
Such systems, though, are typically strong X-rays
emitters, and no X-rays have been detected.
For now, this case remains unsolved.
Perhaps well-chosen
future observations and clever
deductive reasoning will unlock the true origin of this enigmatic wisp in the
future.
Astronomers:
What other "mysterious
structures" appear on the sky?
|
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
Publications with keywords: nebula - gas
Publications with words: nebula - gas
See also: