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Hubble/Subaru Composite Image of Star-Forming Region S106
Hubble Space Telescope's high resolution combines with the Subaru Telescope's wide field-of-view to reveal a depiction of star-forming region S106 that is not possible from either telescope alone. The bipolar S106 shows bright gas in two distinct lobes. The faint stars located near the nebulosity are brown dwarf candidates associated with the region of star formation.
This composite image combines optical and near-infrared astronomical data from the Hubble Space Telescope with mid-infrared data from the ground-based Subaru Telescope, located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The Hubble data (H-alpha, J, and H) were taken as part of Hubble Heritage observations of S106 in February 2011. The Subaru data (J, H, and K) were obtained in May 1999.
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.20h 27m 27.09s
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.37° 22' 39.0"
- ConstellationConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.Cygnus
- DistanceDistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.About 2000 light-years (600 parsecs)
About the Data
- InstrumentInstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.Subaru, HST>WFC3/UVIS and HST>WFC3/IR
- Exposure DatesExposure DatesThe date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time.May 1999
- FiltersFiltersThe camera filters that were used in the science observations.Subaru: ((J), (H), and (K); WFC3/UVIS: F657N (H-alpha) WFC3/IR: F110W (J) and F160W (H)
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.S106, Sh2-106, Sharpless 2-106
- Object DescriptionObject DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.Star-Forming Region
- Release DateDecember 15, 2011
- Science ReleaseHubble Serves Up a Holiday Snow Angel
- CreditNASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA), and the Subaru Telescope (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan)
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Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
