Celestial fireworks from dying stars (w/ video)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 08:01
in Astronomy & Space
(PhysOrg.com) -- This image of the nebula NGC 3582, which was captured at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile, shows giant loops of gas bearing a striking resemblance to solar prominences. These loops are thought to have been ejected by dying stars, but new stars are also being born within this stellar nursery. These energetic youngsters emit intense ultraviolet radiation that makes the gas in the nebula glow, producing the fiery display shown here.