                        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.

                               2023 January 29
     A dark comma-shaped cloud appears in the middle of a dense field of
   stars. No stars are visible through the center of the cloud. Please see
               the explanation for more detailed information.

                      Barnard 68: Dark Molecular Cloud
              Image Credit: FORS Team, 8.2-meter VLT Antu, ESO

   Explanation: Where did all the stars go? What used to be considered a
   hole in the sky is now known to astronomers as a dark molecular cloud.
   Here, a high concentration of dust and molecular gas absorb practically
   all the visible light emitted from background stars. The eerily dark
   surroundings help make the interiors of molecular clouds some of the
   coldest and most isolated places in the universe. One of the most
   notable of these dark absorption nebulae is a cloud toward the
   constellation Ophiuchus known as Barnard 68, pictured here. That no
   stars are visible in the center indicates that Barnard 68 is relatively
   nearby, with measurements placing it about 500 light-years away and
   half a light-year across. It is not known exactly how molecular clouds
   like Barnard 68 form, but it is known that these clouds are themselves
   likely places for new stars to form. In fact, Barnard 68 itself has
   been found likely to collapse and form a new star system. It is
   possible to look right through the cloud in infrared light.

            Postcards from the Universe 2022: APOD Year in Review
                Tomorrow's picture: bright marking on the sky
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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