Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2019 July 30

                 Star Forming Region NGC 3582 without Stars
                  Image Credit & Copyright: Andrew Campbell

   Explanation: What's happening in the Statue of Liberty nebula? Bright
   stars and interesting molecules are forming and being liberated. The
   complex nebula resides in the star forming region called RCW 57, and
   besides the iconic monument, to some looks like a flying superhero or a
   weeping angel. By digitally removing the stars, this image showcases
   dense knots of dark interstellar dust, fields of glowing hydrogen gas
   ionized by these stars, and great loops of gas expelled by dying stars.
   A detailed study of NGC 3576, also known as NGC 3582 and NGC 3584,
   uncovered at least 33 massive stars in the end stages of formation, and
   the clear presence of the complex carbon molecules known as polycyclic
   aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are thought to be created in the
   cooling gas of star forming regions, and their development in the Sun's
   formation nebula five billion years ago may have been an important step
   in the development of life on Earth.

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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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