Kleinmann-Low Nebula
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The Kleinmann-Low Nebula at 11.7 microns. The brightest
source is the Becklin-Neugebauer object
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A cool (less than 600 K), intense, extended infrared source that is the
most active part of the Orion Complex;
it lies about 1' northwest of the Trapezium
and about 12" south of the Becklin-Neugebauer
Object and was discovered in 1967 by the American astronomers Douglas
Kleinmann (1942-) and Frank Low (1933-). The Kleinmann-Low Nebula appears
to consist of a cluster of young and forming stars embedded in a dusty molecular
cloud. In visible light, the dust blocks much of the Nebula's light, but
in infrared, at wavelengths less than 20 microns, the area region is bursting
with activity. Hot stellar winds, flowing
off massive young stars, permeate and heat surrounding gas, causing finger-like
intrusions. Near the center of Kleinmann-Low is IRc2, a particularly active
star with a mass estimated at more than 30 solar masses. A water maser (see
interstellar maser) and concentrations
of carbon monoxide (CO) have also been detected in association with the
region.
Related category
• NEBULAE
AND STAR CLUSTERS
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