the-actual-universe:STELLAR BIRTH IN RCW 108RCW 108, about 4,000 light years distant in the conste
the-actual-universe: STELLAR BIRTH IN RCW 108RCW 108, about 4,000 light years distant in the constellation Ara, is a region where stars are actively forming within the Milky Way galaxy. The region contains young star clusters, including one deeply embedded in a cloud of molecular hydrogen. Data from different telescopes has shown that stellar birth in this region is triggered by nearby, massive young stars. The image is 20 arcmin across and is a composite, using X-ray data from Chandra (blue) and infrared emission detected by Spitzer (red and orange). Chandra’s observations of RCW 108 identified more than 400 X-ray sources. About 90% of these are believed to be part of the cluster and not the stars seen in the field-of-view behind and in front of it. Observations show some of the stars within RCW 108 flaring brightly, which is also seen in other young star-forming regions. Many of the X-rays are blocked by gas and dust from the young stars in the centre of the image; Chandra sources are particularly low in this area. The data from Spitzer displays the location of the embedded star cluster, shown as the bright knot of red and orange to the left of centre within the image. Some stars from NGC 6193, a larger cluster, can be seen in the left side of the image. The dense clouds within RCW 108 are thought to be in the middle of being destroyed by intense radiation from the hot and massive stars of NGC 6193.Combining the Chandra and Spitzer data shows many massive star candidates in many areas within this image. This in turn suggests there are pockets within RCW 108 that experienced localised periods of star formation. This type of star formation is predicted to occur because of radiation from bright and massive stars, like the ones in NGC 6193. This radiation might cause material within the gas clouds of RCW 108 to compress, which would lead to gravitational collapse and the formation of new stars.A virtual tour of RCW 108: http://bit.ly/10va1ZK-TELSources: 1, 2Image: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/S.Wolk et alIR: NASA/JPL-Caltech -- source link