Astronomy Picture of the Day -- In the Center of the Omega Nebula

NASA ^ | May 06, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: In the depths of the dark clouds of dust and molecular gas known as the Omega Nebula, stars continue to form. The above image from the Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys shows exquisite detail in the famous star-forming region. The dark dust filaments that lace the center of Omega Nebula were created in the atmospheres of cool giant stars and in the debris from supernova explosions. The red and blue hues arise from glowing gas heated by the radiation of massive nearby stars. The points of light are the young stars themselves, some brighter than 100 Suns. Dark globules mark even younger systems, clouds of gas and dust just now condensing to form stars and planets. The Omega Nebula lies about 5000 light years away toward the constellation of Sagittarius. The region shown spans about 3000 times the diameter of our Solar System.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: NASA, H. Ford (JHU), G. Illingworth (UCSC/LO), M.Clampin (STScI), G. Hartig (STScI), ACS Science Team, and ESA]

[SunkenCiv]

If this were the Omega-3 Nebula, chances are it would be located in the constellation Pisces. [ /rimshot! ]

Gallery: Supermoon 2012

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[Libertarian4Bush]

I LOL’d

[Talisker]

Here's a close-up enlargement of the photo:

[SunkenCiv]

;’)

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Under the bright star at the top left is an “eye”. Look closer and you can see a face.

Is this “I have broken the surly bounds of earth and touched the face of God”, or just a Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country face trick?

[Big Horn]

I see a face , a duck, a child, and a body and I don’t know what all. Do stars have 02 to burn?

[GATOR NAVY]

I’ve know Omega Centuri but I had never heard of the Omega Nebula until today.

[cripplecreek]

[left that other site]

Awesome!