by Ann » Mon Mar 14, 2022 5:46 pm
Sharp contours and rounded shapes (in red) and
evaporation of gas (in white).
What I find so remarkable about these pillars is their shape, with sharply delineated but softly rounded contours, sitting in a "sea of evaporating gases". In my sort of annotated image at right, I tried to bring out the "sharp but soft" contours (in red) and the evaporating gases (in white).
We find these shapes wherever there are dusty nebulas suffering the onslaught of ultraviolet light from hot massive stars.
Speaking about starforming pillars of gas and dust, the pillar in the Carina Nebula is a perfect example. The two jets from the top of the pillar come from a very young star in the process of forming.
These pillars really are in so many places. You realize, don't you, that the
Horsehead Nebula is a pillar? And the
Cone Nebula?
Pillars in the NGC 3603 nebula. NASA, ESA, R. O'Connell et al.
Two of my favorite pillars are the ones in the NGC 3603 nebula. To me they look like two men having a conversation. Ah, pareidolia!
And I'm still scratching my head over the fantastic shapes of these pillars. The sharp contours, the rounded forms. Amazing!
Ann
[float=left][img3="Star formation in the Eagle Nebula. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble; Processing & Copyright: Ignacio Diaz Bobillo & Diego Gravinese"]https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2203/Pillars_HstBibillo_1097.jpg[/img3][/float][float=right][attachment=1]APOD 14 March 2022 Pillar in the Eagle Nebula enhanced contours.png[/attachment][c][size=85][color=#0040FF]Sharp contours and rounded shapes (in red) and
evaporation of gas (in white).[/color][/size][/c][/float]
[clear][/clear]
What I find so remarkable about these pillars is their shape, with sharply delineated but softly rounded contours, sitting in a "sea of evaporating gases". In my sort of annotated image at right, I tried to bring out the "sharp but soft" contours (in red) and the evaporating gases (in white).
We find these shapes wherever there are dusty nebulas suffering the onslaught of ultraviolet light from hot massive stars.
[float=right][img3="NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula. Credit:
NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)"]https://cdn.spacetelescope.org/archives/images/screen/opo0834a.jpg[/img3][/float][float=left][img3="A starforming dust pillar in the Carina Nebula. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, N. Smith (U. California, Berkeley) et al., and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)"]https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1303/carina06_hubble_960.jpg[/img3][/float]
[clear][/clear]
Speaking about starforming pillars of gas and dust, the pillar in the Carina Nebula is a perfect example. The two jets from the top of the pillar come from a very young star in the process of forming.
These pillars really are in so many places. You realize, don't you, that the [url=https://www.eso.org/public/sweden/images/eso0202a/]Horsehead Nebula[/url] is a pillar? And the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_Nebula#/media/File:Cone_Nebula_(NGC_2264)_Star-Forming_Pillar_of_Gas_and_Dust.jpg]Cone Nebula[/url]?
[float=right][attachment=0]Pillars near NGC 3603 NASA ESA R OConnell.png[/attachment][c][size=85][color=#0040FF]Pillars in the NGC 3603 nebula. NASA, ESA, R. O'Connell et al.[/color][/size][/c][/float][float=left][/float][img3="Pillars in the NGC 3603 nebula. NASA, ESA, R. O'Connell et al."]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/NGC_3603b.jpg/1008px-NGC_3603b.jpg?20120517120017[/img3]
[clear][/clear]
Two of my favorite pillars are the ones in the NGC 3603 nebula. To me they look like two men having a conversation. Ah, pareidolia!
And I'm still scratching my head over the fantastic shapes of these pillars. The sharp contours, the rounded forms. Amazing!
Ann