﻿ Astronomy Picture of the Day [1]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 [2]The featured image shows the star forming nebula NGC 3576 in multiple false colors. A central dust structure may appear similar to the Statue of Liberty. Please see the explanation for more detailed information. Star Forming Region NGC 3582 without Stars Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Chris Willocks Explanation: What's happening in the [4]Statue of Liberty nebula? [5]Bright stars and [6]interesting molecules are forming and being [7]liberated. The [8]complex nebula resides in the star forming region called RCW 57, and besides the iconic monument, to some looks like a [9]flying superhero or a [10]weeping angel. By digitally removing the stars, [11]this re-assigned color image showcases dense knots of [12]dark interstellar dust, fields of [13]glowing hydrogen gas ionized by these stars, and [14]great loops of gas expelled by dying stars. A [15]detailed study of NGC 3576, also known as [16]NGC 3582 and [17]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 [18]polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are thought to be created in the cooling gas of [19]star forming regions, and their development in the [20]Sun's formation nebula five billion years ago may have been an important step in the [21]development of life on Earth. Your Sky Surprise: [22]What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (post 1995) Tomorrow's picture: horse red nebula __________________________________________________________________ [23]< | [24]Archive | [25]Submissions | [26]Index | [27]Search | [28]Calendar | [29]RSS | [30]Education | [31]About APOD | [32]Discuss | [33]> __________________________________________________________________ Authors & editors: [34]Robert Nemiroff ([35]MTU) & [36]Jerry Bonnell ([37]UMCP) NASA Official: Phillip Newman [38]Specific rights apply. [39]NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices A service of: [40]ASD at [41]NASA / [42]GSFC, [43]NASA Science Activation & [44]Michigan Tech. U. References 1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html 2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2209/NGC3576_Willocks_3300_Starless.jpg 3. https://www.instagram.com/chris.willocks/ 4. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120509.html 5. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap211124.html 6. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/ 7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty 8. http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/nebulae/ngc3576.html 9. https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/superhero-dog-flying-clouds-funny-bulldog-dressed-as-super-hero-red-shirt-blue-cape-sky-48240315.jpg 10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weeping_Angel 11. https://www.instagram.com/p/CiLbwqOMDAc/ 12. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050110.html 13. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/emission_nebulae.html 14. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap990503.html 15. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006A&A...450..253M/abstract 16. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_3576 17. http://server7.wikisky.org/starview?object_type=3&object_id=218&object_name=NGC+3584&locale=EN 18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycyclic_aromatic_hydrocarbons 19. http://server7.wikisky.org/starview?object_type=3&object_id=218&object_name=NGC+3584&locale=EN 20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_and_evolution_of_the_Solar_System 21. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/big-questions/how-did-life-begin-and-evolve-earth-and-has-it-evolved-elsewhere-solar-system 22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html 23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220919.html 24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html 25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html 26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html 27. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search 28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html 29. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod.rss 30. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html 31. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html 32. http://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=220920 33. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220921.html 34. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html 35. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/ 36. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html 37. http://www.astro.umd.edu/ 38. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply 39. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html 40. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 41. https://www.nasa.gov/ 42. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/ 43. https://science.nasa.gov/learners 44. http://www.mtu.edu/