                        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 September 7

                       Tarantula Stars R136 from Webb
    Images Credit & Copyright: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production
                                    Team

   Explanation: Near the center of a nearby star-forming region lies a
   massive cluster containing some of the largest and hottest stars known.
   Collectively known as star cluster NGC 2070, these stars are part of
   the vast Tarantula Nebula and were captured in two kinds of infrared
   light by the new Webb Space Telescope. The main image shows the group
   of stars at NGC 2070's center -- known as R136 -- in near-infrared,
   light just a bit too red for humans to see. In contrast, the rollover
   image captures the cluster center in mid-infrared light, light closer
   to radio waves. Since R136's brightest stars emit more of their light
   in the near infrared, they are much more prominent on that image. This
   LMC cluster's massive stars emit particle winds and energetic light
   that are evaporating the gas cloud from which they formed. The Webb
   images, released yesterday, shows details of R136 and its surroundings
   that have never been seen before, details that are helping humanity to
   better understanding of how all stars are born, evolve and die.

                       Tomorrow's picture: open space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

