This mid-infrared, false-color composite image shows the reflection
nebula IC 1396 in the constellation Cepheus, as viewed by
This mid-infrared, false-color composite image shows the
reflection nebula IC 1396 in the constellation Cepheus, as viewed by AKARI’s
Infrared Camera (IRC).
IC 1396 is a bright star formation region located about 3000
light years from our Solar System, in a region where very massive (several tens
of solar masses) stars are presently being born. Massive young stars in the
central region of the image have swept out the gas and dust to the periphery of
the nebula, creating a hollow shell-like structure.
The formation of a new generation of stars is now taking
place within the compressed gas in these outer shell structures. With this
high-resolution and high-quality image AKARI has revealed for the first time
the detailed distribution of the gas and dust swept out over the entire nebula.
-- SPACE.com
Staff
Credits:
JAXA
Return each weekday for a new SPACE.com Image of the Day.
