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Orion Nebula:
Chandra Finds X-ray Star Bonanza in Orion Nebula
Chandra Image of the Orion Nebula
Star Cluster. This X-ray image shows about a
thousand X-ray emitting young stars in the Orion Nebula
star cluster. The X rays are produced in the
multimillion degree upper atmospheres of these stars.
At a distance of about 1800 light years, this cluster
is the closest massive star forming region to Earth. It
is well-known in the night sky because it illuminates
the Orion Nebula. The region shown in this image is
about 10 light years across. The bright stars in the
center are part of the Trapezium, an association of
very young stars with ages less than a million years.
The dark vertical and horizontal lines, and the streaks
from the brightest stars are instrumental
effects.
| Fast Facts for Orion Nebula: |
| Credit |
NASA/PSU |
| Scale |
Image is 17 arcmin on a side. |
| Category |
Normal Stars & Star Clusters |
| Coordinates (J2000) |
RA 05h 35m 14.29s | Dec -05° 23' 37.91" |
| Constellation |
Orion |
| Observation Dates |
October 12, 1999
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| Observation Time |
13 hours |
| Obs. IDs |
18, 1522
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| Color Code |
Intensity |
| Instrument |
ACIS |
| Also Known As | M42 | | References | G. Garmire et al. 2000, Astron. J. 120:1426-1435 |
| Distance Estimate |
About 1,500 light years |
| Release Date |
January 14, 2000 |
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