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Credit & Copyright: Vikas Chander
Explanation:
Cosmic dust clouds cross a rich field of stars in
this telescopic vista near the northern boundary of
Corona Australis, the Southern Crown.
Less than 500 light-years away the dust clouds
effectively block light from
more distant background stars in the
Milky Way.
Top to bottom the frame spans about 2 degrees or over 15 light-years at
the clouds' estimated distance.
At top right is a group
of lovely reflection nebulae cataloged as
NGC 6726, 6727, 6729,
and IC 4812.
A characteristic blue color is produced as light
from hot stars is reflected by
the cosmic dust.
The dust also obscures from view stars
in the region
still in the process of formation.
Just above the bluish reflection nebulae a smaller NGC 6729 surrounds
young variable star
R Coronae Australis.
To its right are telltale reddish arcs and loops identified as
Herbig Haro objects
associated with energetic newborn stars.
Magnificent globular star cluster NGC 6723
is at bottom left in the frame.
Though NGC 6723 appears
to be part
of the group,
its ancient stars actually lie nearly 30,000 light-years away,
far beyond the young stars of the Corona Australis dust clouds.
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Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: dust cloud
Publications with words: dust cloud
See also: