Thackaray's globules
 |
Thackaray's globules.
Image: Hubble Space Telescope
|
Dark globules associated with the bright
star-forming region IC 2944, which lies about 5,900 light-years away, in
the constellation Centaurus. The largest of
these globules, first spotted by South African astronomer A. D. Thackeray
in 1950, is likely two separate but overlapping clouds, each nearly 1.4
light-years (50 arcseconds) along its longest dimension. Combined, the clouds
contain about 15 solar masses of material. IC 2944, the surrounding HII
region, is filled with gas and dust that is illuminated and heated by a
loose cluster of O-type stars.
Related category
• NEBULAE
AND STAR CLUSTERS
Also on this site:
Encyclopedia
of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia
of History
BACK TO TOP
|
