APOD
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
The Kleinmann-Low Nebula
Explanation: The most active part of the Orion Nebular Cloud Complex is an area known as the Kleinmann-Low Nebula . There, a cluster of young and forming stars is embedded in a molecular cloud filled with dust . In visible light, the dark dust blocks much of Orion KL 's light, but in the infrared light of the above photograph , the area seems literally to explode. Hot stellar winds flowing off massive young stars in Orion KL region permeate and heat surrounding gas, causing finger-like intrusions . Near the center of Orion KL is IRc2 , a particularly active star estimated to have over 30 times the mass of our Sun . Radio telescopes have recently detected unusual emission from water molecules - maser radiation from the Kleinmann-Low Nebula.
| Date | March 2, 1999 |
|---|---|
| Credit | Credit: CISCO, Subaru 8.3-m Telescope, NAOJ |
| Authors & editors: | Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP) |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |



