                        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 20

                 Star Forming Region NGC 3582 without Stars
                  Image Credit & Copyright: Chris Willocks

   Explanation: What's happening in the Statue of Liberty nebula? Bright
   stars and interesting molecules are forming and being liberated. The
   complex nebula resides in the star forming region called RCW 57, and
   besides the iconic monument, to some looks like a flying superhero or a
   weeping angel. By digitally removing the stars, this re-assigned color
   image showcases dense knots of dark interstellar dust, fields of
   glowing hydrogen gas ionized by these stars, and great loops of gas
   expelled by dying stars. A detailed study of NGC 3576, also known as
   NGC 3582 and NGC 3584, uncovered at least 33 massive stars in the end
   stages of formation, and the clear presence of the complex carbon
   molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are
   thought to be created in the cooling gas of star forming regions, and
   their development in the Sun's formation nebula five billion years ago
   may have been an important step in the development of life on Earth.

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