Headlines
Cosmic Wonder Hubble Captures a Breathtaking Snow Angel Formed by a Bright Young Star
What It Is: Sharpless 2-106, an emission nebula and active star-forming region.
Where It Is: Approximately 2,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.
When It Was Shared: December 2011.
Why It’s Special:
The Hubble Space Telescope brings to life the breathtaking beauty of Sharpless 2-106 (S106), a stunning bipolar nebula affectionately known as the “celestial snow angel.” This emission nebula, spanning about 2 light-years, features wing-like structures shaped by the intense activity of a young, massive star at its heart.
At the core of this star-forming region lies S106 IR, a star 15 times more massive than the Sun, unleashing immense energy that sculpts the nebula’s intricate, ethereal appearance. Despite its serene visual appeal, this celestial wonder reveals the tumultuous process of stellar birth, highlighting the raw power of cosmic creation.
A full-size version of the Hubble image (Image credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
In the final stages of its formation, the young star S106 IR is a dynamic powerhouse, actively shaping its surroundings. This star ejects high-speed jets of energetic material from its poles, creating a spectacular display of light and motion. The turbulent activity disrupts the nearby gas and dust within its parent cloud, giving rise to the nebula’s striking and intricate appearance.
As the jets of material shoot outward, they heat the surrounding gas to extreme temperatures—reaching up to 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit (10,000 degrees Celsius). This process ionizes the hydrogen gas, causing it to glow with a radiant intensity. The interplay of energy and matter creates a mesmerizing scene, vividly captured in a Hubble Space Telescope image.
The most captivating feature of this stellar nursery is the twin lobes of scorching-hot gas that extend outward from the star’s center. These “wings,” which appear blue in the image, form the celestial snow angel that gives Sharpless 2-106 its nickname. A thick, red dust lane bisects the nebula, separating the lobes and creating a distinctive hourglass shape. This dense dust is cooler and darker than the surrounding gas, effectively concealing the central star. However, S106 IR can still be glimpsed through the widest part of the dust lane, positioned slightly off-center in the image.
The ongoing ejection of material by S106 IR is part of the star’s journey toward stability. Over time, it will shed enough mass to transition into a calmer state, eventually becoming a main-sequence star like our Sun. This phase marks the end of its turbulent birth and the beginning of a long, steady existence.
The vibrant image of Sharpless 2-106 was released in December 2011, showcasing the Hubble Space Telescope’s ability to reveal cosmic wonders in exquisite detail. Using its Wide Field Camera 3, Hubble combined visible and near-infrared light to create this breathtaking view. The visible-light filters captured the glow of hot hydrogen gas, while the near-infrared filters highlighted the cooler gas and dust, providing a comprehensive picture of the nebula’s complexity.
This image not only highlights the star’s dramatic formation process but also offers a glimpse into the intricate mechanics of stellar evolution. The interplay of light, energy, and matter creates a celestial masterpiece, reminding us of the raw power and beauty of the universe. Sharpless 2-106 is a testament to the transformative nature of star formation, showcasing the chaotic yet awe-inspiring process that gives birth to new stars.
Through this vivid portrayal, the Hubble Space Telescope provides a window into the dynamic life cycle of stars, capturing a moment of cosmic artistry in the vast expanse of space.