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The Hubble Space Telescope captured a busy and dreamy-looking scene located about 950 light-years away. The region hosts multiple young stars, two of which release powerful winds that form cavities.
NGC 1333 is the star-forming region in this Hubble image. It is located about 950 light-years away in the Perseus molecular cloud. The image contains a bright reflection nebula, protostars, and a planet-forming disk.
To the left of the image are two dark stripes. In the center of the dark stripes is starlight. The starlight comes from a newly forming star. The dark stripes are the star’s protoplanetary disk and the disk’s shadow cast onto the surrounding cloud. The protoplanetary disk is a region where planets may eventually form.
A cavity lies slightly to the right of the image’s center. This cavity is called an outflow cavity. The cavity reveals a fan-shaped reflection nebula. As a reflection nebula, it does not produce light, it only scatters and reflects light from nearby stars.
The light in this reflection nebula comes from two Orion variable stars — HBC 340 and HBC 341. These stars change in brightness irregularly and unpredictably. The changes in the stars’ brightness cause fluctuations in the brightness of the nebula. HBC 340 is the brighter and more variable star. Hence, it is primarily responsible for the fluctuations observed in the reflection nebula.
There are other Orion variable stars in the image. Other young stellar objects are also present. Astronomers aim to use the image to understand more about young stellar objects and their properties.
A Hubble image showing a bright reflection nebula shares the stage with a protostar and planet forming disk (Image source: several – see sources)
Chibuike Okpara – Tech Writer – 349 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.