APOD 2.5- Flame Nebula Close-Up

NGC 2024, also known as the Flame Nebula, is a giant, reddish molecular cloud located on the edge of the constellation Orion about 1,500 light-years away from Earth. The red glow is a product of glowing, ionized hydrogen atoms. As the ionized atoms re-combine with electrons and glow as a result. Behind the dark clouded mass of interstellar dust in the center of the nebula, is a massive cluster of young stars that is likely to be the cause of the hydrogen atom ionization because of its extreme ultraviolet radiation, however, the cluster of stars can only be seen with infrared wavelengths.

APOD 2.4- Spiral Galaxy M66

Spiral galaxy M66 was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780, and four supernova have been spotted in this galaxy since. In the Leo Triplet of galaxies, (made up of the three tilted spiral galaxies NGC 3628, M66, and M65), M66 lies 35 million light years across and is about one-hundred thousand light years across, making it the largest galaxy in the trio. Dust lanes and young, blue star clusters are prominent in M66, as they circle the galaxy's center and form a nearly symmetrical galaxy. The dispacement of the glaxy's shape is most likely caused by the gravitational pulls of the neighboring spiral galaxies. The forming pink and blue stars, dusts, nebulae and gases make up the spiral arms of M66.

APOD 2.3- The Iris Nebula

 

 The bright blue center of this stellar flower is approximately 6 light-years across. The Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) is located 1,300 light-years away, in the constellation of Cepheus. The blue, cloudy appearance is caused by interstellar dust and gas reflecting the colors of starlight around young, extremely hot stars, which form a shape that looks somewhat like flower petals, giving the nebula its name. Faint hints of color near the center indicate that there are hydrogen  emissions taking pace and a possibilityof PAHs. The reddish dust particles give off their brighter colors because they have converted ultraviolet starlet into visible red light. The Iris Nebula is a wonderful example of a reflection nebula.

APOD 2.2- The Necklace Nebula

       Planetary nebula are formed in the last phase of stellar evolution of sun-like stars.They are composed of gaseous and dusty materials which are expelled from geriatric stars just before the star dies. The Necklace Nebula is a ring-shaped planetary nebula found within the constellation of Sagitta nearly 15,000 light-years away and 5,000 years old. The ring of the nebula is about half a light-year across. A unique property of the Necklace Nebula is that is believed to be a binary star with an orbital period of just over a day.