猎户座大星云之南
影像版权与提供: Johannes Schedler (Panther Observatory)
说明: 这一大片隐隐约约的云气和恒星,位于著名的恒星形成区猎户座大星云以南二度的位置。这个区域里到处都是年轻的恒星以及它们所造成的喷流和物质涌流,这些物质流以每秒数千公里的高速冲撞周遭的云气,激震波激发了名为荷比-赫罗(HH)天体的发光体。举例来说,影像中右方的优美弧状天体之编号为HH222,它也常被称为是瀑布星云。此外,瀑布星云下方的锥状星云,则是HH 401。影像中左下方的蓝色明亮星云编号是NGC 1999,它是一个内部藏着变光星的反射星云。上面这片星野涵盖了三十光年的天区,位在离我们大约一千五百光年远的猎户座分子云团的边缘。
South of Orion
Credit & Copyright: Johannes Schedler (Panther Observatory)
Explanation: This tantalizing array of nebulae and stars can be found about 2 degrees south of the famous star-forming Orion Nebula. The region abounds with energetic young stars producing jets and outflows that push through the surrounding material at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per second. The interaction creates luminous shock waves known as Herbig-Haro (HH) objects. For example, the graceful, flowing arc just right of center is cataloged as HH 222, also called the Waterfall Nebula. Seen below the Waterfall, HH 401 has a distinctive cone shape. The bright bluish nebula below and left of center is NGC 1999, a dusty cloud reflecting light from an embedded variable star. The entire cosmic vista spans over 30 light-years, near the edge of the Orion molecular cloud complex some 1,500 light-years distant. |