What is emission nebulae: 5 most beautiful representatives

What is emission nebulae: 5 most beautiful representatives

Surprisingly, even the accumulation of gas in space can attract the attention of not only scientists and astrophotographers. Today we will meet with excellent emission nebulae.

What is it?

We are talking about nebulae formed by ionized gases, which release the rays of light in different wavelengths. If we talk about the source of ionization, in most cases they are high-energy photons coming from a nearby red-hot star.

In certain types, you can find the region of H II, where the birth of new stars. To ionize a large area of ​​the cloud, you need a large star. If this is a young star representative, it covers only part of the nebula. But in many emission nebulae, a whole young star cluster is responsible for ionization.

Researchers concentrate on studying the physical and chemical characteristics. But ordinary people can enjoy amazing photographs of emission nebulae, striking in their shapes and beauty. Let's look at 5 bright representatives.

  1. Carina Nebula (NGC 3372)

What is emission nebulae: 5 most beautiful representatives

It can be found in the southern hemisphere or from tropical areas in the northern one. The main source of lighting is the star This Carina. The nebula is 6500-10000 light-years distant from us. Inside it are star clusters and two more nebulae (the homunculus and the keyhole). In age it reaches 2-3 million years, and in diameter it covers 460 light years. In the X-ray review there are many events of supernova explosions.

  1. The Flame Nebula (NGC 2024)

What is emission nebulae: 5 most beautiful representatives

It is located on the territory of the constellation Orion, at a distance of 3000 light years from us. It is considered part of the larger Orion Cloud (new stars appear in it). The diameter extends hundreds of light years. Part of it can be detected without the use of magnifying devices. But better to stock up on binoculars or a small telescope. The source of the glow is a group of young stars.

  1. Tarantula (NGC 2070)

What is emission nebulae: 5 most beautiful representatives

The search should be at a distance of 160,000 light years in the constellation Golden Fish. There will be no problems with the search, as it is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The nebula is pulled out for 600 light years, which allows to accommodate a huge number of stars and protostars. Some old stars exploded in the form of supernovae. In the center lives the R136 cluster - young star objects at the age of 2 million years. The true nature of the nebula was first guessed by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1751.

  1. Monkey Head

What is emission nebulae: 5 most beautiful representatives

Located in the constellation Orion with a distance of 6400 light years. It is also a large-scale ionized gas cloud that constantly creates new stellar objects. The photographs of the Hubble Space Telescope resemble the head of a monkey. Can be found with binoculars, but details are resolved into large telescopes. It was first discovered by Giovanni Godierna in 1654.

  1. Fox Fur

What is emission nebulae: 5 most beautiful representatives

The search should be in the constellation Unicorn at a distance of 2700 light years. This is the H II area, which is shaped like a fox's head. To search, use the bright variable star 15 Unicorn. Sources of illumination are massive young star objects. In the telescopic view, a red glow is seen, the cause of which is the activation of hydrogen.

Postscript

We also advise you to admire the emission nebulae of Soul and Heart, Seagull, California and Rosette. There are also several instances in the Messier catalog.

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