                        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.

                                2021 August 6

                   Stars and Dust Across Corona Australis
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Vikas Chander

   Explanation: Cosmic dust clouds cross a rich field of stars in this
   telescopic vista near the northern boundary of Corona Australis, the
   Southern Crown. Less than 500 light-years away the dust clouds
   effectively block light from more distant background stars in the Milky
   Way. Top to bottom the frame spans about 2 degrees or over 15
   light-years at the clouds' estimated distance. At top right is a group
   of lovely reflection nebulae cataloged as NGC 6726, 6727, 6729, and IC
   4812. A characteristic blue color is produced as light from hot stars
   is reflected by the cosmic dust. The dust also obscures from view stars
   in the region still in the process of formation. Just above the bluish
   reflection nebulae a smaller NGC 6729 surrounds young variable star R
   Coronae Australis. To its right are telltale reddish arcs and loops
   identified as Herbig Haro objects associated with energetic newborn
   stars. Magnificent globular star cluster NGC 6723 is at bottom left in
   the frame. Though NGC 6723 appears to be part of the group, its ancient
   stars actually lie nearly 30,000 light-years away, far beyond the young
   stars of the Corona Australis dust clouds.

                     Tomorrow's picture: Stereo Saturday
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