NGC 2264: 锥状星云

2023年1月10日

NGC 2264: The Cone Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Matthew Dieterich

Explanation: Stars are forming in the gigantic dust pillar called the Cone Nebula. Cones, pillars, and majestic flowing shapes abound in stellar nurseries where clouds of gas and dust are sculpted by energetic winds from newborn stars. The Cone Nebula, a well-known example, lies within the bright galactic star-forming region NGC 2264. The featured image of the Cone was captured recently combining 24-hours of exposure with a half-meter telescope at the El Sauce Observatory in Chile. Located about 2,500 light-years away toward the constellation of the Unicorn (Monoceros), the Cone Nebula’s conical pillar extends about 7 light-years. The massive star NGC 2264 IRS, is the likely source of the wind sculpting the Cone Nebula and lies off the top of the image. The Cone Nebula’s reddish veil is produced by glowing hydrogen gas.

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NGC 2264: 锥状星云
图像提供与版权: Matthew Dieterich

说明: 恒星正形成于名为锥状星云的巨大尘埃柱之内。在恒星育婴室里，诞生恒星的云气和尘埃云受到新恒星高能恒星风之雕塑，常会形成许多锥状物、云气柱和壮观且具有流动感的结构。著名的示例之一，是位在明亮银河恒星形成区NGC 2264之内的锥状星云。上面这幅最近由位在智利.El Sauce天文台的50公分口径望远所拍摄的主题图像，总共整合了24小时的曝光数据。位在麒麟座方向约有2,500光年远处的锥状星云，其锥形云柱的伸展长度约有7光年。而位在图像顶端之外的大质量恒星NGC 2264 IRS，可能就是雕塑出锥状星云的恒星风之源头。锥状星云外裹的泛红薄纱，则是来自氢气云所散发的泛红辉光。

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