2013 June 11
Star Forming Region NGC 3582
Image Credit & Copyright: Desert Hollow Observatory
Image Credit & Copyright: Desert Hollow Observatory
Explanation: What's happening in the NGC 3582 nebula? Bright stars and interesting
molecules are forming. The complex nebula
resides in the star forming region called RCW 57. Visible in this
image are dense knots of dark interstellar dust,
bright stars that have formed in the past few million years, fields of glowing hydrogen gas ionized by these stars,
and great loops of gas expelled by dying stars. A detailed study of NGC
3582, also known as NGC
3584 and NGC 3576, uncovered at least 33 massive
stars in the end stages of formation, and the clear presence of the complex
carbon molecules known as polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are thought to be created in the cooling
gas of star
forming regions, and their development in the Sun's
formation nebula five billion years ago may have been an important step in
the development
of life on Earth. The above
image was taken at the Desert Hollow Observatory north of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
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