Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have taken a detailed image of a small part of the famous Orion Nebula.
This Hubble image shows two stars: the Orion variable star V 372 Orionis and the emission-line star BD-05 1307. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / J. Bally / M. Robberto.
The new Hubble image shows two stars: the bright star V 372 Orionis and its smaller companion called BD-05 1307.
V 372 Orionis, also known as HD 36917 or Ori 47, is a so-called Orion variable — a variable star which exhibits irregular and eruptive variations in its brightness.
BD-05 1307, otherwise known as 2MASS J05345223-0533085 or TIC 427373786, is classified as an emission-line star.
Both stars lie in the Orion Nebula, a colossal region of star formation approximately 1,450 light-years from Earth.
“V 372 Orionis is a particular type of variable star known as an Orion variable,” Hubble astronomers said in a statement.
“These young stars experience some tempestuous moods and growing pains, which are visible to astronomers as irregular variations in luminosity.”
“Orion Variables are often associated with diffuse nebulae, and V 372 Orionis is no exception; the patchy gas and dust of the Orion Nebula pervade this scene.”
The new image is made up of observations from Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) in the infrared and optical parts of the spectrum.
Six filters were used to sample various wavelengths. The color results from assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter.
“Data from the Advanced Camera for Surveys and Wide Field Camera 3 at infrared and visible wavelengths were layered to reveal rich details of this corner of the Orion Nebula,” the astronomers explained.
“Hubble also left its own subtle signature on this astronomical portrait in the form of the diffraction spikes surrounding the bright stars.”
“These prominent artifacts are created by starlight interacting with Hubble’s inner workings, and as a result they reveal hints of Hubble’s structure.”
“The four spikes surrounding the stars in this image are created by four vanes inside Hubble supporting the telescope’s secondary mirror.”
“The diffraction spikes of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, on the other hand, are six-pointed as a result of Webb’s hexagonal mirror segments and 3-legged support structure for the secondary mirror.”
