The Hubble Space Telescope has taken an awe-inspiring image of G35.2-0.7N, a region renowned for the formation of high-mass stars. Positioned about 7200 light-years away from Earth in the Aquila constellation, this zone is home to at least one B-type star. This particular star is responsible for emitting a potent protostellar jet, manifesting as a luminous spectacle in the captured image. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Fedriani, J. Tan
The striking photograph from the Hubble Space Telescope depicts an area referred to as G35.2-0.7N, recognized for its intense activity of high-mass star development. The stars generated in this region are of such considerable mass that they are fated to culminate their existence in cataclysmic supernovae. As they come into existence, these stars have a profound influence on their environmental context. Within this captured region, resides at least one B-type star—the category second only to the most massive—which is propelling a forceful protostellar jet, the cause of the resplendent light display.
This image was secured using the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), an instrument affixed to the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. The area in the photograph, G35.2-0.7N, is situated roughly 7200 light-years distant from Earth, in the Aquila constellation.
The stunning visual was pieced together from data primarily amassed for specialized research objectives, much like numerous Hubble Pictures of the Week. Investigations conducted with these data involved quantifying the degree of ionization present in the jets emitted from the concealed protostar in G35.2-0.7N. Ionization is the transformation wherein atoms or molecules acquire a charge, generally due to their presence in an environment of elevated energy that leads to the loss of some of their electrons.
Protostellar jets are massive, focused streams of matter expelled from protostars. In this context, “collimated” indicates that the matter is propelled in parallel, column-like flows, suggesting that the jets maintain their narrow shape while extending considerable distances in relatively straight paths.
The visual outcome of this expulsion of matter is the radiant phenomenon evident in the image. A significant portion of the nebula appears dark, its light obstructed from Hubble’s perspective by the abundant dust clouds that give rise to these hefty stars.
At the very core of the image, the location of the star and its material jet can be discerned. The vivid orange streak at the center represents a void in the dust, etched out by the jet’s sheer force as it propels toward us. As the jet punctures its dust-filled enclosure, it allows light from the protostar to escape, although the extensive dust still imbues the light with a fiery orange hue. The protostar itself is situated at the extreme lower-left corner of this cavity.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hubble Protostellar Jet
What is the main subject of the Hubble Space Telescope’s captured image?
The main subject of the captured image is the region known as G35.2-0.7N, which is renowned for high-mass star formation. The region is located approximately 7200 light-years away from Earth in the Aquila constellation.
What is particularly striking about the stars in this region?
The stars in this region are of high mass and are destined to end their lives as cataclysmic supernovae. At least one B-type star is present, which is the second most massive type of star.
What is a protostellar jet?
A protostellar jet is a massive, focused stream of matter that is ejected from a protostar. These jets are “collimated,” meaning that they are propelled in parallel, column-like streams and extend considerable distances in relatively straight lines.
What instrument was used to capture this image?
The image was captured using the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), which is mounted on the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
What was the research purpose behind collecting this data?
The data were primarily collected for very specific research purposes, including the measurement of ionization in the jets being blasted out of the protostar buried within G35.2-0.7N. Ionization is a process wherein atoms or molecules acquire a charge, usually because they are in a high-energy environment.
What is ionization in this context?
Ionization is the process by which atoms or molecules become charged, typically due to the loss of electrons when they are in a high-energy environment, such as the one surrounding a protostar.
What can be observed at the very center of the image?
At the very center of the image, one can see the location of the star and the material jet it is emitting. A bright orange streak is visible, representing a cavity in the dust carved out by the force of the jet as it streams toward us.
Why is much of the nebula dark in the image?
Much of the nebula appears dark because its light is blocked from Hubble’s view by the abundant dust clouds that give rise to these massive stars.
Why does the light appear “reddened” to a fiery orange in the image?
The light appears “reddened” to a fiery orange due to the extensive dust clouds in the region. The jet punctures its dust-filled enclosure, allowing some light from the protostar to escape, but the presence of so much dust imbues the light with a fiery orange hue.
More about Hubble Protostellar Jet
- Hubble Space Telescope Official Website
- Understanding Protostellar Jets: A Scientific Paper
- The Aquila Constellation: An Overview
- Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) Instrument Description
- Introduction to High-Mass Star Formation
- What is Ionization?
- Understanding Nebulae
- The Science of Dust Clouds in Space
- The Life Cycle of B-type Stars
- Hubble Pictures of the Week Archive
8 comments
Hubble’s doing what it does best, capturing the unseeable. But what’s up with the dust clouds? They’re like the bouncers at a VIP cosmic event, blocking our view lol.
Is it just me or does anyone else find it mind-boggling that stars can have such a big impact even when they’re forming? like they’re already shaping their neighborhood before they’re fully ‘grown up’.
That B-type star must be a real powerhouse to emit a jet that powerful. Would love to know more about how these stars end up as supernovae. Got some reading to do.
Wow, this is seriously mind-blowing stuff. Its like looking at cosmic fireworks. Can’t believe we’ve got tech like Hubble to show us this.
Whoa, 7200 light-years away? and we can capture it like this. Technology’s come a long way, hasn’t it.
the fiery orange hue makes it look so dramatic. Never thought dust could make something look so beautiful and eerie at the same time.
Hubble never ceases to amaze me! those protostellar jets are like the rockstars of space. Need to read up more on this ionization thing though.
anyone else wanna just hop on a spaceship and go see all this up close? Just me? okay then.