Stardust in the Perseus Molecular Cloud

Stardust in the Perseus Molecular Cloud

Image Credit &
Copyright:

Jeff Schilling

Explanation:

Clouds of stardust drift through
this deep skyscape,
across the
Perseus molecular cloud
some 850 light-years away.

Dusty nebulae reflecting light from embedded young stars
stand out in the nearly 4 degree
wide field of view.

With a characteristic bluish color
reflection nebula NGC 1333 is
prominent near center.

Hints of contrasting red emission from Herbig-Haro objects,
the jets and shocked glowing gas emanating from recently formed stars,
are scattered across
the dusty expanse.

While many
stars are forming
in the molecular cloud, most
are obscured at visible wavelengths by the pervasive dust.

The chaotic environment surrounding
NGC 1333
may be similar to one in which our own Sun
formed over 4.5 billion years ago.

At the estimated distance of the Perseus molecular cloud,
this cosmic scene would span about 80 light-years.