Detail of N44 in the Large Magellanic Cloud
This image of the spectacular N44 H II region in the LMC displays (very nearly) its central region, which is dominated by a large, ring-shaped nebula that includes a bright stellar association of very luminous stars. It emits X-rays - this is interpreted as a sign that several heavy stars in this area have exploded as supernova during the last few million years. N44 is a very bright, rich and well-studied complex in the LMC, somewhat apart from the other nebulae in this galaxy. The general appearance (in astronomical terminology: the "morphology") is well explained by a combination of fast outflow from stars (stellar winds) and supernova remnants, as well as sequential star formation.
Credit:
ESO
About the Image
| Id: | eso9931b |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 22 June 1999 |
| Related releases: | eso9931 |
| Size: | 2303 x 2381 px |
About the Object
| Name: | N 44 |
| Type: | • Local Universe : Nebula : Appearance : Emission : H II Region • X - Nebulae |
| Distance: | 170000 light years |
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 5h 22m 7.92s |
| Position (Dec): | -67° 56' 13.62" |
| Field of view: | 9.69 x 10.02 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 0.3° right of vertical |
View in Worldwide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
| Optical B |
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Optical V |
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Optical H-alpha |
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
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