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.

                              2020 November 13

                             The Tarantula Zone
               Image Credit & Copyright: Ignacio Diaz Bobillo

   Explanation: The Tarantula Nebula, also known as 30 Doradus, is more
   than a thousand light-years in diameter, a giant star forming region
   within nearby satellite galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud. About 180
   thousand light-years away, it's the largest, most violent star forming
   region known in the whole Local Group of galaxies. The cosmic arachnid
   sprawls across the top of this spectacular view, composed with
   narrowband filter data centered on emission from ionized hydrogen and
   oxygen atoms. Within the Tarantula (NGC 2070), intense radiation,
   stellar winds and supernova shocks from the central young cluster of
   massive stars, cataloged as R136, energize the nebular glow and shape
   the spidery filaments. Around the Tarantula are other star forming
   regions with young star clusters, filaments, and blown-out
   bubble-shaped clouds. In fact, the frame includes the site of the
   closest supernova in modern times, SN 1987A, right of center. The rich
   field of view spans about 2 degrees or 4 full moons, in the southern
   constellation Dorado. But were the Tarantula Nebula closer, say 1,500
   light-years distant like the local star forming Orion Nebula, it would
   take up half the sky.

                      Tomorrow's picture: light-weekend
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                             & Michigan Tech. U.

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