APOD: December 7, 1996 - Planetary Systems Now Forming in Orion (original) (raw)

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

December 7, 1996

Planetary Systems Now Forming in Orion Credit: C. R. O'Dell and S. K. Wong (Rice U.), WFPC2,HST,NASA,

Explanation: How do planets form? Astronomers are finding out by studying one of the most interesting of all astronomical nebulae known, the Great Nebula in Orion. Insets to above mosaicshow several planetary systems in formation. The bottom left insert shows the relative size ofour own Solar System. The Orion Nebulacontains many stellar nurseries. These nurseries contain hydrogengas, hot young stars, proplyds, andstellar jets spewing material at high speeds. Much of the filamentary structure visible in this image are actually shock waves- fronts where fast moving material encounters slow moving gas. Some shock waves are visible near one of the bright stars in the lower left of the picture. The Orion Nebulais located in the same spiral arm of our Galaxyas is our Sun.

Tomorrow's picture: Degas Ray Crater on Mercury

Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Technical Rep.: Jay Norris.Specific rights apply.
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