This image from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) shows the “Pacman” nebula seemingly chomping through space with teeth-like columns of dust and gas.
Formally known as NGC 281, the nebula is located about 9,200 light-years away in the constellation of Cassiopeia, and spans around 130 light-years in space. It is nicknamed for its similarity to the Pacman in the popular video game developed in the 1980s.
A new cluster of stars called IC 1590 is forming inside the cloud, seen in the upper section of the image. Also present are massive hot stars many times the size of our sun. These emit powerful ultraviolet radiation and generate strong stellar winds that erode the inside of the nebula to create a shell.
The long toothy columns at the edges of the cloud point to the central star cluster. Due to their higher density, these columns erode more slowly, and their tips may become compressed, triggering star formation.
Also around the edges are very red objects that are probably infant stars glowing inside envelopes of dust.
Formally known as NGC 281, the nebula is located about 9,200 light-years away in the constellation of Cassiopeia, and spans around 130 light-years in space. It is nicknamed for its similarity to the Pacman in the popular video game developed in the 1980s.
A new cluster of stars called IC 1590 is forming inside the cloud, seen in the upper section of the image. Also present are massive hot stars many times the size of our sun. These emit powerful ultraviolet radiation and generate strong stellar winds that erode the inside of the nebula to create a shell.
The long toothy columns at the edges of the cloud point to the central star cluster. Due to their higher density, these columns erode more slowly, and their tips may become compressed, triggering star formation.
Also around the edges are very red objects that are probably infant stars glowing inside envelopes of dust.
