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Alkalbain 1 region mosaic_Full resolution_10671x3592_U_100

A view from the dark side….

 

Dark nebulae or absorption nebulae are types of interstellar clouds, also called molecular clouds, that are so dense that they obscure the visible wavelengths of light from objects behind it, such as background stars and emission or reflection nebulae.

The astronomer Edward Barnard compiled a list of these dark makings in the sky, known as the Barnard Catalogue.

This is a 2-panel mosaic of part of the Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1), which is an interstellar molecular cloud in the constellations Taurus and Auriga. This cloud hosts a stellar nursery containing hundreds of newly formed stars.

The blue area in the image is a reflection nebula known as LBN 782, which lies within both dark nebulae, Barnard 10, and Barnard 7. The dark area of nebulosity stretching away from LBN 782 towards the left of the image comprises Barnard 211, 213 and 216.

 

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Uploaded on November 24, 2022