RCW 49

RCW 49
RCW 49 by the Spitzer Space Telescope (NASA)
Observation data: J2000.0 [1] epoch
Type	HII region [1]
Right ascension	10h 24m 14.6s [1]
Declination	−57° 46′ 58″ [1]
Distance	13,700 ly
Constellation	Carina
Physical characteristics
Radius	350 ly
Absolute magnitude (V)	-
Notable features	-
Other designations	RCW 49, GUM 29
See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae
v t e

RCW 49 is a nebula located 13,700 light years away. It is a dusty stellar nursery that contains more than 2,200 stars and is about 350 light years across.

The nebula RCW49, shown in infrared light in this image from the Spitzer Space Telescope, is a nursery for newborn stars. Using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, astronomers have found in RCW49 more than 300 newborn or 'protostars,' all with circumstellar disks of dust and gas. The discovery reveals that galaxies make new stars at a much more prolific rate than previously imagined. The stelar disks of dust and gas not only feed material onto the growing new stars, but can be the raw material for new planetary systems

External links

• RCW 49 picture and information
• RCW 49 as the picture of the day on June 3, 2004

References

http://www.news.wisc.edu/9859