Tarantula Nebula
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The Tarantula Nebula |
|
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Emission |
| Right ascension: | 05h 38m 38s[1] |
| Declination: | -69° 05.7′[1] |
| Distance: | 160 kly (49 kpc)[citation needed] |
| Apparent magnitude (V): | +8[citation needed] |
| Apparent dimensions (V): | 40′ × 25′[citation needed] |
| Constellation: | Dorado |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius: | 500 ly |
| Absolute magnitude (V): | ? |
| Notable features: | In LMC |
| Other designations: | NGC 2070,[citation needed] |
| See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae | |
The Tarantula Nebula (also known as 30 Doradus, or NGC 2070) is an H II region in the Large Magellanic Cloud. It was originally thought to be a star, but in 1751 Nicolas Louis de Lacaille recognized its nebular nature.
The Tarantula Nebula has an apparent magnitude of 8. Considering its distance of about 160,000 light years, this is an extremely luminous object. In fact, it is the most active starburst region known in the Local Group of galaxies. The nebula resides on the leading edge of the LMC, where ram pressure stripping, and the compression of the interstellar medium likely resulting from this, is at a maximum. At its core lies the extremely compact cluster of stars - R136a - that produces most of the energy that makes the nebula visible.
The closest supernova since the invention of the telescope, Supernova 1987A, occurred in the outskirts of the Tarantula Nebula.
See also the star cluster in Tarantula catalogued as Hodge 301.
[edit] External links
- Tarantula Nebula page at SEDS
- APoD 23 August 2003
- 30 Doradus image gallery
- Tarantula Nebula at ESA/Hubble
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Results for Tarantula Nebula. Retrieved on December 22, 2006.
