Utilizing ESO's VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at Paranal Observatory in Chile, astronomers have actually produced this stunning picture of the obscure nebula Gum 41.
This VST image reveals Gum 41, an emission nebula about 7,300 light-years away in the southern constellation of Centaurus. Image credit: ESO/ VPHAS+ Team/ CASU.
Gum 41 lies in the southern constellation of Centaurus, about 7,300 light-years away.
The nebula was found by the Australian astronomer Colin Gum found on images taken at the Mount Stromlo Observatory near Canberra.
Gum included this item in his brochure of 84 emission nebulae, which was released in 1955.
In the middle of Gum 41, hot young stars are emitting energetic radiation that triggers the surrounding hydrogen to radiance with a particular red color.
Another well-known example of this phenomenon is the Lagoon Nebula, a large cloud that shines in comparable brilliant tones of scarlet.
Gum 41 is really part of a larger structure called the Lambda Centauri Nebula, likewise understood by the more unique name of the Running Chicken Nebula.
“Set versus a vibrant background of stars, Gum 41 is a happily symmetric example of a Strömgren sphere, a shell of hydrogen gas atoms radiant in rosy shades due to the radiation of the stunning main star,” ESO astronomers stated.
“While this star, called HD 100099, might seem one really brilliant item, it is really believed to be 2 young, enormous stars orbiting in such a tight welcome that they can not be separated at the scale of the VST image.”
“This romantic area is home to numerous sets like this, consisting of the luminescent item on the lower ideal borders of the nebula, HD 99944.”
“Sadly, the romance in these outstanding couples will have an awful ending: unlike our Sun, these hot and enormous stars tend to have brief life times of just a few million years, and ultimately there will be no young stars delegated make the nebula radiance.”
“One day, Gum 41 will fade into openness and be lost to future astronomers permanently.”
“Gum 41 is likewise a member of a much bigger area, passionately called the Running Chicken Nebula,” they stated.
“Whether Gum 41 forms the foot or the head of the chicken is remarkably questionable.”
