Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2019 October 2

                    Molecular Clouds in the Carina Nebula
                       Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble

   Explanation: They are not alive -- but they are dying. The unusual
   forms found in the Carina nebula, a few of which are featured here,
   might best be described as evaporating. Energetic light and winds from
   nearby stars are breaking apart the dark dust grains that make the
   iconic forms opaque. Ironically the figures, otherwise known as dark
   molecular clouds or bright rimmed globules, frequently create in their
   midst the very stars that later destroy them. The floating space
   structures pictured here by the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope span a
   few light months. The Great Nebula in Carina itself spans about 30
   light years, lies about 7,500 light years away, and can be seen with a
   small telescope toward the constellation of Keel(Carina).

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