                        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.

                                2022 April 19

              Stars and Globules in the Running Chicken Nebula
               Image Credit & Copyright: Stefan Steve Bemmerl

   Explanation: The eggs from this gigantic chicken may form into stars.
   The featured emission nebula, shown in scientifically assigned colors,
   is cataloged as IC 2944 but known as the Running Chicken Nebula for the
   shape of its greater appearance. Seen toward the bottom of the image
   are small, dark molecular clouds rich in obscuring cosmic dust. Called
   Thackeray's Globules for their discoverer, these "eggs" are potential
   sites for the gravitational condensation of new stars, although their
   fates are uncertain as they are also being rapidly eroded away by the
   intense radiation from nearby young stars. Together with patchy glowing
   gas and complex regions of reflecting dust, these massive and energetic
   stars form the open cluster Collinder 249. This gorgeous skyscape spans
   about 60 light-years at the nebula's estimated 6,500 light-year
   distance.

                     Tomorrow's picture: shipping clouds
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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