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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.

See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

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.