NASA releases image of star-forming region from Hubble telescope

The focal point of the image, identified as IRAS 16562-3959, is located within the Milky Way galaxy about 5,900 light years away in the constellation Scorpius, according to the official release.

According to the release, “At the center of the image, IRAS 16562-3959 likely hosts a massive star – about 30 times the mass of our Sun – that is still in the process of forming. Shadowy clouds appear dark because there is too much light-obscuring dust blocking the near-infrared wavelengths of light seen by Hubble.”

According to ESA, while the galaxy appears to “sit comfortably” in space, Hubble observations show that it has recently undergone a stellar explosion, also known as a supernova.

Also read: Hubble Space Telescope reveals new image of spiral galaxy

However, near-infrared light leaks mainly from two sides – upper left and lower right – where a powerful jet from the giant protostar clears the dust.

It says, “Multi-wavelength images like this incredible Hubble view help us better understand how the most massive, brightest stars in our galaxy form.”

Earlier in July 2023, the Hubble Space Telescope dropped a new image of a spiral galaxy. The spiral galaxy, known as UGC 12295, is about 192 million light-years away from Earth.

Meanwhile, NASA is looking for applicants to participate in its upcoming one-year Mars surface mission, which will help inform NASA’s plans for human exploration of the Red Planet, the space agency said on its website.

In the spring of 2025, CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog), the second of three planned ground-based missions, is expected to launch. A four-person volunteer crew lives and works inside a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat that is located at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for each CHAPEA mission.

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Published: Feb 18, 2024, 11:32 am IST