Starship Asterisk*

Lynds Dark Nebula 1251

Explanation: Stars are forming in Lynds Dark Nebula (LDN) 1251. About 1,000 light-years away and drifting above the plane of our Milky Way galaxy, the dusty molecular cloud is part of a complex of dark nebulae mapped toward the Cepheus flare region. Across the spectrum, astronomical explorations of the obscuring interstellar clouds reveal energetic shocks and outflows associated with newborn stars, including the telltale reddish glow from scattered Herbig-Haro objects hiding in the image. Distant background galaxies also lurk on the scene, almost buried behind the dusty expanse. This alluring view spans over four full moons on the sky, or 35 light-years at the estimated distance of LDN 1251.

<< Previous APOD

This Day in APOD

Next APOD >>

In Lynd's Dark Nebula 1251 we see the same phenomenon that we see in many other regions of star formation. An elongated dust lane gets compacted, preferably at one of its tips, where star formation gets going. Note in the APOD (at left in the picture) little tiny orange glows and zigzags that must be the light and outflows from tiny stars. I get the impression that this is the birth site of very low-mass stars.

Let's look at some other regions of star formation where stars are formed at the tip of long dust structures:

Ann

The Turkey Drumstick Nebula

Herbig-Haro-Jet Beautiful; Thanks for the view! I think I'll
call it Herbie!

mister T wrote: ↑Thu Nov 24, 2022 11:48 am The Turkey Drumstick Nebula

Ha ha. Yes, nice. And that reminds me --

I'm thankful today for APOD. For the faithful work that has curated this unique collection and gives us daily joy, looking at so many mind-expanding views of the universe, with explanations of some of their interesting and often subtle features. And I'm grateful for the good people who have gathered to discuss them here, who also teach me so much more about the universe thereby.

Interstellar filth!

MarkBour wrote: ↑Thu Nov 24, 2022 10:34 pm

mister T wrote: ↑Thu Nov 24, 2022 11:48 am The Turkey Drumstick Nebula

Ha ha. Yes, nice. And that reminds me --

I'm thankful today for APOD. For the faithful work that has curated this unique collection and gives us daily joy, looking at so many mind-expanding views of the universe, with explanations of some of their interesting and often subtle features. And I'm grateful for the good people who have gathered to discuss them here, who also teach me so much more about the universe thereby.

Hear, hear! Well said, sir! I concur wholeheartedly.