Using the Focal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph (FORS) instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have obtained a remarkable new view of the emission nebula RCW 36.
This image from ESO’s Very Large Telescope shows the emission nebula RCW 36. Image credit: ESO.
RCW 36 is an emission nebula located some 2,300 light-years away in the constellation of Vela.
Also known as Gum 20, the nebula is one of the sites of massive-star formation closest to our Solar System.
The object is part of a larger-scale star-forming complex known as the Vela Molecular Ridge.
RCW 36 contains a star cluster approximately 1.1 million years old.
The most massive stars in this young cluster are two O-type stars, but it also contains hundreds of lower-mass stars.
Some areas in RCW 36 are dense enough to block out background light, creating patches and wisps of inky black.
Despite the dark appearance of these clouds, they are the only places in the Universe in which star formation occurs.
Clumps of molecular hydrogen and cosmic dust collapse and come together to form stars encircled by small families of exoplanets.
“This image of RCW 36 was selected as part of the ESO Cosmic Gems program, an initiative that produces images of scientifically interesting and visually attractive objects using ESO telescopes for the purposes of education and public outreach,” ESO astronomers said.
“The program makes use of telescope time that cannot be used for science observations.”
“All data collected may also be suitable for scientific purposes, and are made available to astronomers through ESO’s science archive.”
