The Raspberry Nebula in Orion image by US NOIRLab | sorae Space Portal

This is emission nebula LBN 867, also known as the Mulberry Nebula, in the direction of Orion. It is located near the bright star Bellatrix on Orion’s left shoulder.

The flame-like red color of LBN 867 is due to the red light emitted by ionized hydrogen gas. This region is called the “HII region”. The bright star in the center is a hot B-type star, HD 34989, whose hydrogen gas is ionized by the ultraviolet radiation emitted by this star.

advertisement

HD 34989 appears very bright in the image, but according to the National Institute of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (NOIRLab) of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the apparent brightness of HD 34989 is similar to that of Uranus as seen from Earth. Sixth grade). It is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky that is not affected by light pollution.

Also, below HD 34989, a pale, cloud-like region is dotted. This is reflection nebula “vdB 38” where HD 34989’s light is reflecting off interstellar dust, and the contrast with bright red LBN 867 is impressive.

This image was created based on data (using three types of filters) obtained by the “Mosaic-3” observing instrument installed on the Mayall Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory (Arizona, USA). Published April 19, 2023.

advertisement

source

• Image credits: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSD/AURA/TA Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF’s NOIRLab) Image processing: TA Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF’s NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF’s NOIRLab) and D. de Martin (NSF’s NOIRLab). NSF’s NOIRLab)
• NOIRLab – Harvest Nebula

Sentence editing section