Astronomers using ESO’s VLT Survey Telescope have captured a spectacular image of two little-known nebulae: Gum 10 and Gum 11.
This VST image shows Gum 10 and Gum 11, two nebulae in the southern constellation of Puppis. Image credit: ESO / VPHAS+ Team.
“What shapes do you see? A chicken pecking seeds on the ground, the head of a dragon, or something else entirely?” ESO astronomers asked in their statement.
“These pareidolia-inducing clouds are a pair of nebulae — collections of dust and gas in interstellar space — called Gum 10 and Gum 11.”
“Visible mostly from the southern hemisphere, they are part of a larger complex, in which stars are born.”
Gum 10 is located approximately 10,760 light-years away in the constellation of Puppis.
Also known as RCW 19, this nebula has a diameter of around 155 light-years.
Gum 11, or NGC 2579, lies roughly 4,000 light-years away in the same southern constellation.
“Gum 10 is the brightest cloud that occupies most of the image,” the astronomers said.
“Gum 11 is the fainter, detached cloud to the bottom-left.”
The image of the two nebulae was captured by ESO’s VLT Survey Telescope (VST), which celebrates the 15th anniversary of its first light today.
“Their bright glow comes from a special interaction between hydrogen and the hot massive stars in each nebula,” the researchers said.
“These stars emit ultraviolet light, which has enough energy to tear electrons away from their atoms, forming ions.”
“These electrons eventually recombine with hydrogen ions, which causes the emission of the specific shade of red light seen in this image.”
“The black lines in the nebula come from dust that blocks the light behind it.”
