by Ann » Tue Oct 22, 2024 6:16 am
Well, pillars, pillars, pillars everywhere!
On Earth, pillars and arches carry heavy weights.
But in space, pillars are what remains when harsh ultraviolet light and strong stellar winds from young massive stars blow away the cloud of gas and dust that they were born from, but denser clumps of gas and dust stay on for a longer time. The denser clumps protect their own "shadows" "downwind" from the hot stars - that way pillars are born.
Hot massive cluster 3603 and pillars. Credit:
NASA, ESA, R. O'Connell, F. Paresce, E. Young and Hubble Heritage
Just like the pillars of NGC 3603 are being sculpted by the intense ultraviolet light and harsh winds from that mighty cluster, so the Eagle Nebula's Pillars of Creation are being sculpted by young massive cluster M16.
The most curious aspect of the Eagle Nebula is the ginormous "keyhole" "above" the cluster:
We have discussed this thing before here at Starship Asterisk, and I am no closer to understanding how it could have formed. Perhaps a light-centuries tall cosmic giant is looking for this keyhole so he can unlock the secrets of the Universe?
🗝
As for the Pillars of Creation, my favorite portrait of them is this one by James Webb:
How can you not be impressed by this JWST image? I know I am. But the APOD is fine, too!
Ann
Well, pillars, pillars, pillars everywhere!
[float=left][img3="Temple of Zeus. Shutterstock."]https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Temple_of_Zeus_shutterstock_1367582600-1536x864.jpeg[/img3][/float][float=right][img3="The White House. Credit: The White House."]https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/us-capitol.jpg?w=700&h=530&crop=1[/img3][/float]
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On Earth, pillars and arches carry heavy weights.
[img3="Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland. Credit: Visit Sctoland."]https://d1xw84ija6gjgy.cloudfront.net/production-upgrade-2024/2f834c6dc78805618e628fa9f02a39e4/conversions/610682288b022-720p.jpg[/img3]
But in space, pillars are what remains when harsh ultraviolet light and strong stellar winds from young massive stars blow away the cloud of gas and dust that they were born from, but denser clumps of gas and dust stay on for a longer time. The denser clumps protect their own "shadows" "downwind" from the hot stars - that way pillars are born.
[float=left][attachment=1]NGC 3603 and pillars explained NASA ESA Hubble Heritage.png[/attachment][c][size=85][color=#0040FF]Hot massive cluster 3603 and pillars. Credit:
NASA, ESA, R. O'Connell, F. Paresce, E. Young and Hubble Heritage[/color][/size][/c][/float][clear][/clear]
Just like the pillars of NGC 3603 are being sculpted by the intense ultraviolet light and harsh winds from that mighty cluster, so the Eagle Nebula's Pillars of Creation are being sculpted by young massive cluster M16.
[img3="M16: Eagle Nebula Deep Field.
Image Credit & Copyright: Gianni Lacroce"]https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2305/EagleDeep_Lacroce_1080.jpg[/img3]
The most curious aspect of the Eagle Nebula is the ginormous "keyhole" "above" the cluster:
[attachment=0]APOD 15 May 2023 detail 2.png[/attachment]
We have discussed this thing before here at Starship Asterisk, and I am no closer to understanding how it could have formed. Perhaps a light-centuries tall cosmic giant is looking for this keyhole so he can unlock the secrets of the Universe? [size=200]🗝[/size]
As for the Pillars of Creation, my favorite portrait of them is this one by James Webb:
[img3="The Pillars of Creation by JWST. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Joseph DePasquale, Anton M. Koekemoer, Alyssa Pagan"]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Pillars_of_Creation_%28NIRCam_Image%29.jpg/519px-Pillars_of_Creation_%28NIRCam_Image%29.jpg?20221019202730[/img3]
How can you not be impressed by this JWST image? I know I am. But the APOD is fine, too! :D
Ann