Astronomy Picture of the Day -- In the Vicinity of the Cone Nebula

NASA ^ | August 06, 2013 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: Strange shapes and textures can be found in neighborhood of the Cone Nebula. The unusual shapes originate from fine interstellar dust reacting in complex ways with the energetic light and hot gas being expelled by the young stars. The brightest star on the right of the above picture is S Mon, while the region just below it has been nicknamed the Fox Fur Nebula for its color and structure. The blue glow directly surrounding S Mon results from reflection, where neighboring dust reflects light from the bright star. The red glow that encompasses the whole region results not only from dust reflection but also emission from hydrogen gas ionized by starlight. S Mon is part of a young open cluster of stars named NGC 2264, located about 2500 light years away toward the constellation of the Unicorn (Monoceros). Even though it points right at S Mon, details of the origin of the mysterious geometric Cone Nebula, visible on the far left, remain a mystery.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: Subaru Telescope (NAOJ) & DSS; Assembly and Processing: Robert Gendler]

[SunkenCiv]

The Big One

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[bigheadfred]

I think it is a searchlight.

[left that other site]

Is that anywhere near france?

[henkster]

Nice image but I don’t get the cone thing.

[bigheadfred]

It is a searchlight.

[SunkenCiv]

It could be a nebula specific to descendants of Aaron.

[henkster]

Then call it the Searchlight Nebula.

[bigheadfred]

LOL now that is funny lenny

[bigheadfred]

no Civ explained it all in post 7 LMAO

[SgtBob]

Isn’t that where Dingy Hairy Reid is from?

[bigheadfred]

search me

[SgtBob]

meh, search me, searchlight...no big diff :-)

[jimt]

Always love your posts.

[The Cajun]

Looks like a star (or something) is cutting a pretty good wake through the dust, left side, slightly above center.

[Yardstick]

I knew they’d be making an appearance...

[Tainan]

Thanks...another new desktop

[left that other site]

But of course! :-)

[left that other site]

Now THAT’S Funny! :-)

[JoeProBono]