The Pelican Nebula in Gas, Dust, and Stars
Image Credit & Copyright: Roberto Colombari
Explanation: The Pelican Nebula is slowly being transformed. IC 5070, the official designation, is divided from the larger
North America Nebula by a
molecular cloud filled with dark
dust. The
Pelican, however, receives much study because it is a particularly active mix of
star formation and evolving gas clouds. The
featured picture was produced in three specific colors -- light emitted by
sulfur,
hydrogen, and
oxygen -- that can help us to better understand these interactions. The light from young energetic stars is slowly transforming the cold gas to hot gas, with the
advancing boundary between the two, known as an
ionization front, visible in bright orange on the right. Particularly dense
tentacles of cold gas remain. Millions of years from now this nebula might no longer be known as the
Pelican, as the
balance and placement of stars and gas will surely leave something that appears completely different.
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