Cosmic Marbles
Brief Description:
A dynamic looking region of the constellation Auriga where spherical nebulas appear hurled to crash into each other. This image features the nebulas Sh2-232, Sh2-235, Sh2-231, Sh2-234 and LBN 796, and the open star clusters M38 and M36.
In-depth Description:
This is a dynamic looking region of the constellation Auriga where spherical nebulas appear hurled to crash into each other. This image includes the nebulae Sh2-232, Sh2-235, Sh2-231, Sh2-234 and LBN 796, among others, and the open star clusters M38 and M36.
The eyeball looking nebula (Sh2-232) has been mistaken for a planetary nebula, but none of the round or semispherical objects in this image are actually classified as PNs (per Galaxymap and SIMBAD). In fact, the big fuzzy ball in the lower left center (right above cluster M36) does not seem to have any designation at all and is merely a part of the greater nebula LBN 796. A 2012 study suggests that these unusual forms are all part of an expanding shell, the result of an ancient supernova.
These nebulae are all features of a larger molecular cloud located 1800 pc from us. By comparison the two clusters are much closer: M36 (bottom center) is 1330 pc distant, and M38 (center right) lies only 1066 pc away.
To see more of my work and to buy prints visit www.jklovelacephotography.com/pages/space
Cosmic Marbles
Brief Description:
A dynamic looking region of the constellation Auriga where spherical nebulas appear hurled to crash into each other. This image features the nebulas Sh2-232, Sh2-235, Sh2-231, Sh2-234 and LBN 796, and the open star clusters M38 and M36.
In-depth Description:
This is a dynamic looking region of the constellation Auriga where spherical nebulas appear hurled to crash into each other. This image includes the nebulae Sh2-232, Sh2-235, Sh2-231, Sh2-234 and LBN 796, among others, and the open star clusters M38 and M36.
The eyeball looking nebula (Sh2-232) has been mistaken for a planetary nebula, but none of the round or semispherical objects in this image are actually classified as PNs (per Galaxymap and SIMBAD). In fact, the big fuzzy ball in the lower left center (right above cluster M36) does not seem to have any designation at all and is merely a part of the greater nebula LBN 796. A 2012 study suggests that these unusual forms are all part of an expanding shell, the result of an ancient supernova.
These nebulae are all features of a larger molecular cloud located 1800 pc from us. By comparison the two clusters are much closer: M36 (bottom center) is 1330 pc distant, and M38 (center right) lies only 1066 pc away.
To see more of my work and to buy prints visit www.jklovelacephotography.com/pages/space