A stellar fingerprint
Showcased at the centre of this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is an emission-line star known as IRAS 12196-6300.
Located just under 2300 light-years from Earth, this star displays prominent emission lines, meaning that the star’s light, dispersed into a spectrum, shows up as a rainbow of colours marked with a characteristic pattern of dark and bright lines. The characteristics of these lines, when compared to the “fingerprints” left by particular atoms and molecules, can be used to reveal IRAS 12196-6300’s chemical composition.
Under 10 million years old and not yet burning hydrogen at its core, unlike the Sun, this star is still in its infancy. Further evidence of IRAS 12196-6300’s youth is provided by the presence of reflection nebulae. These hazy clouds, pictured floating above and below IRAS 12196-6300, are created when light from a star reflects off a high concentration of nearby dust, such as the dusty material still remaining from IRAS 12196-6300’s formation.
Credit:ESA/Hubble & NASA
Acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt (Geckzilla)
About the Image
Id: | potw1609a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 29 February 2016, 06:00 |
Size: | 1937 x 1734 px |
About the Object
Name: | IRAS 12196-6300 |
Type: | Milky Way : Star |
Distance: | 2300 light years |
Constellation: | Crux |
Category: | Stars |
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 12 22 23.14 |
Position (Dec): | -63° 17' 23.74" |
Field of view: | 1.64 x 1.47 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 8.2° left of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical V | 606 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Infrared I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |