Glorious and Ghostly New Photo of Swan Nebula Star Birth

[n2doc]

By Betsy Mason July 7, 2009 | 10:52 am |



This eerie image of the Swan Nebula is illuminated by around three dozen huge, hot baby stars burning brightly and reflecting off of dust from collapsed stars. The wind from the active star forming has blown swirling shapes into the dust, which will become the fodder for more new stars.



Also known as the Omega Nebula or the Lobster Nebula, this star-forming region is around 5,500 light years from Earth and is one of the biggest in the Milky Way, stretching 15 light years across. It became active just a few million years ago, making it one of the galaxy’s newest nurseries.

The image above is a three-color composite captured by the European Southern Observatory’s 3.58-meter New Technology Telescope at La Silla, Chile.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/07/swannebula-2/

[lob1]

1. The pic is beautiful. I was there once in 1967.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Ummmm ... you visited the Swan Nebula?

Please expand on that.

[CruisePlanner]

4. Details??

What cruise line did you use? I'd like to add it to my offerings. I assume it was more than a 7 Night excursion?

[lob1]

3. Sorry, my mistake. That's the Swan Nebula. I was in the Horsehead

Nebula. Sometimes I'm so dumb.

[Swede]

8. It's easy to make that mistake.

Especially on LSD.

[byronius]

5. Easy to get 'em mixed up. Up close, it's impossible to tell the difference.

Unless you get out of the ship and do a 360.

[gtar100]

6. Who's the guy peeking out from behind?

about midway vertically and on the left. His eyes are wide open.

[and-justice-for-all]

7. The Flying Spaghetti Monster...duh

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. That is exquisite, and the swans are remarkable.

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