By Sakshi Sah
Published Sep 09, 2024

Hindustan Times
Trending

Photo Credits: NASA

NASA reveals 5 star formation insights in nearby nebula

NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is responsible for space exploration and aerospace research. It conducts missions to explore space, develop technology, and study Earth and the universe.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is a flagship observatory that has provided stunning images and valuable data about distant galaxies, star formations, and cosmic phenomena.

NASA's Hubble has tracked star formation in a nearby nebula.

A brilliant ruby red hue illuminates NGC 261, showcasing its beauty amidst a sea of stars.

NGC 261 was first discovered on September 5, 1826, by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop.

This nebula resides in the small magellanic cloud, one of the Milky Way’s closest galactic companions.

NGC 261 is classified as an emission nebula, characterised by ionised gas that emits a pinkish-red glow.

The nebula is home to numerous stars that emit radiation, which ionises the surrounding hydrogen gas.

Hubble focused on NGC 261 to explore how efficiently stars form within molecular clouds.

Molecular clouds are dense, compact regions of gas and dust where most star formation occurs.

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