Astronomy Picture of the Day

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                                2021 March 18

                   Stardust in the Perseus Molecular Cloud
      Image Credit & Copyright: Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn, Stuart Heggie

   Explanation: Clouds of stardust drift through this deep skyscape,
   across the Perseus molecular cloud some 850 light-years away. Dusty
   nebulae reflecting light from embedded young stars stand out in the
   nearly 2 degree wide telescopic field of view. With a characteristic
   bluish color reflection nebula NGC 1333 is at center, vdB 13 at top
   right, with rare yellowish reflection nebula vdB 12 near the top of the
   frame. Stars are forming in the molecular cloud, though most are
   obscured at visible wavelengths by the pervasive dust. Still, hints of
   contrasting red emission from Herbig-Haro objects, the jets and shocked
   glowing gas emanating from recently formed stars, are evident in NGC
   1333. The chaotic environment may be similar to one in which our own
   Sun formed over 4.5 billion years ago. At the estimated distance of the
   Perseus molecular cloud, this cosmic scene would span about 40
   light-years.

                     Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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