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Credit & Copyright: Ignacio Diaz Bobillo
Explanation:
The
Tarantula Nebula, also known as 30 Doradus,
is more than a thousand light-years in diameter,
a giant star forming region within nearby satellite galaxy the
Large Magellanic Cloud.
About 180 thousand light-years away, it's the largest,
most violent star forming region known in the whole Local
Group of galaxies.
The cosmic arachnid sprawls across the top of
this
spectacular view,
composed with narrowband filter data centered on emission
from ionized hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Within
the Tarantula
(NGC 2070), intense radiation,
stellar winds and supernova shocks from the central young cluster of
massive stars, cataloged as R136,
energize the nebular glow and shape the spidery filaments.
Around the Tarantula
are other star forming regions with
young star clusters, filaments, and blown-out
bubble-shaped clouds.
In fact, the frame includes the site of the closest supernova
in modern times,
SN 1987A,
right of center.
The rich field of view spans about 2 degrees
or 4 full moons, in the southern
constellation Dorado.
But were the Tarantula Nebula closer, say 1,500 light-years distant like
the local star forming Orion Nebula,
it would take up half the sky.
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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: LMC - Tarantula Nebula
Publications with words: LMC - Tarantula Nebula
See also: