Nebula NGC 2080, nicknamed the 'Ghost Head Nebula'
The 'Ghost Head Nebula' is one of a chain of star-forming regions lying south of the 30 Doradus nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Two bright regions (the 'eyes of the ghost'), named A1 (left) and A2 (right), are very hot, glowing 'blobs' of hydrogen and oxygen. The bubble in A1 is produced by the hot, intense radiation and powerful stellar wind from a single massive star. A2 has a more complex appearance due to the presence of more dust, and it contains several hidden, massive stars. The massive stars in A1 and A2 must have formed within the last 10 000 years since their natal gas shrouds are not yet disrupted by the powerful radiation of the newly born stars.
Credit:About the Image
Id: | heic0114a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 18 October 2001, 15:00 |
Related releases: | heic0114 |
Size: | 1348 x 1348 px |
About the Object
Name: | Ghost Head Nebula, NGC 2080 |
Type: | Local Universe : Nebula : Type : Star Formation |
Distance: | 170000 light years |
Constellation: | Dorado |
Category: | Nebulae |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 5 39 43.45 |
Position (Dec): | -69° 38' 44.39" |
Field of view: | 1.12 x 1.12 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 147.0° right of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical H-beta | 487 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
Optical Oii | 502 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
Optical H-alpha | 656 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |