                        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 April 27

                     The Tarantula Nebula from SuperBIT
                        Image Credit: SuperBIT, NASA

   Explanation: The Tarantula Nebula, also known as 30 Doradus, is more
   than a thousand light-years in diameter, a giant star forming region
   within nearby satellite galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud. About 160
   thousand light-years away, it's the largest, most violent star forming
   region known in the whole Local Group of galaxies. The cosmic arachnid
   is near the center of this spectacular image taken during the flight of
   SuperBIT (Super Pressure Balloon Imaging Telescope), NASA's
   balloon-borne 0.5 meter telescope now floating near the edge of space.
   Within the well-studied Tarantula (NGC 2070), intense radiation,
   stellar winds and supernova shocks from the central young cluster of
   massive stars, cataloged as R136, energize the nebular glow and shape
   the spidery filaments. Around the Tarantula are other star forming
   regions with young star clusters, filaments, and blown-out
   bubble-shaped clouds. SuperBIT's wide field of view spans over 2
   degrees or 4 full moons in the southern constellation Dorado.

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