Close-up of SH2-140 : a nursery of stars (Louis Leroux)

Close-up of SH2-140 : a nursery of stars

⟨⟨ Zoom sur SH2-140 : une pouponnière d'étoiles - Close-up of SH2-140 : a nursery of stars ⟩⟩

Sh2-140 est une nébuleuse à émission et une région de formation d'étoiles située dans la constellation de Céphée, à environ 3 000 années-lumière de la Terre. Cette nébuleuse fait partie du complexe de nuages moléculaires connu sous le nom de LDN 1204 et constitue un site actif de formation d'étoiles, où de jeunes étoiles naissent à partir de nuages denses de gaz et de poussières.

Sh2-140 is an emission nebula and star-forming region located in the constellation Cepheus, approximately 3,000 light-years from Earth. This nebula is part of the larger molecular cloud complex known as LDN 1204 and is an active site of star formation, where young stars are being born from dense clouds of gas and dust.

Sh2-140 est une région H II, c'est-à-dire qu'elle est constituée de gaz d'hydrogène ionisé qui émet de la lumière en raison du rayonnement ultraviolet intense émis par les étoiles jeunes et chaudes situées à proximité. Le rayonnement de ces étoiles ionise le gaz environnant, le faisant briller et formant l'émission rouge caractéristique que nous observons. Dans Sh2-140, l'une des principales sources de ce rayonnement est l'amas d'étoiles Pismis-Moreno 1, qui contient plusieurs étoiles jeunes et massives aux premiers stades de leur évolution. La région se distingue également par la présence d'un choc d'arc, une bordure brillante de gaz et de poussières comprimés qui se forme lorsque les vents stellaires et le rayonnement des jeunes étoiles entrent en collision avec la matière environnante. Ce choc d'arc est particulièrement visible là où la nébuleuse interagit avec la nébuleuse sombre LDN 1204. LDN 1204 est un nuage dense et sombre qui absorbe la lumière, apparaissant comme une région d'ombre sur la toile de fond lumineuse de Sh2-140. Il sépare effectivement Sh2-140 de la nébuleuse voisine Sh2-145, dont une partie est visible sur certaines images sous la forme d'une faible structure dans le coin supérieur gauche.

Sh2-140 is an H II region, meaning it consists of ionized hydrogen gas that emits light due to the intense ultraviolet radiation from nearby young, hot stars. The radiation from these stars ionizes the surrounding gas, causing it to glow and form the characteristic red emission that we observe. Within Sh2-140, a prominent source of this radiation is the star cluster Pismis-Moreno 1, which contains several young, massive stars in the early stages of their evolution.The region is also notable for the presence of a bow shock, a bright rim of compressed gas and dust that forms as the stellar winds and radiation from young stars collide with the surrounding material. This bow shock is particularly prominent where the nebula interacts with the dark nebula LDN 1204. LDN 1204 itself is a dense, dark cloud that absorbs light, appearing as a shadowy region against the glowing backdrop of Sh2-140. It effectively divides Sh2-140 from the neighboring nebula Sh2-145, a portion of which can be seen in some images as a faint structure in the upper left corner.

Sh2-140 est une région clé pour l'étude des processus de formation d'étoiles, en particulier les premiers stades de l'évolution stellaire. Dans cette nébuleuse, on trouve de nombreux objets stellaires jeunes, y compris des proto-étoiles et des étoiles nouvellement formées, encore enfouies dans leur nuage natal de gaz et de poussière. L'interaction dynamique du rayonnement, des vents stellaires et des champs magnétiques dans Sh2-140 est à l'origine des processus complexes qui déclenchent l'effondrement des nuages de gaz et la naissance de nouvelles étoiles. Les observations de cette région, en particulier dans les longueurs d'onde infrarouges et radio, révèlent les structures cachées et l'activité en cours dans ces environnements denses et poussiéreux qui ne sont pas visibles en lumière optique.

Sh2-140 is a key region for studying the processes of star formation, particularly the early stages of stellar evolution. Within this nebula, there are numerous young stellar objects, including protostars and newly formed stars still embedded within their natal clouds of gas and dust. These young stars are often surrounded by circumstellar disks, where planets may eventually form.The dynamic interplay of radiation, stellar winds, and magnetic fields in Sh2-140 drives the complex processes that trigger the collapse of gas clouds and the birth of new stars. Observations of this region, particularly in infrared and radio wavelengths, reveal the hidden structures and ongoing activity within these dense, dusty environments that are not visible in optical light.

L'une des caractéristiques visibles sur les images de Sh2-140 est la petite nébuleuse de réflexion bleue cataloguée GN 22 12.3, située sur le côté droit de la nébuleuse. Cette nébuleuse de réflexion brille en reflétant la lumière des étoiles proches, contrastant avec la lueur rouge de la nébuleuse d'émission.

One of the distinct features visible in images of Sh2-140 is the small blue reflection nebula cataloged as GN 22 12.3, located on the right side of the nebula. This reflection nebula shines by reflecting the light of nearby stars, contrasting with the red glow of the emission nebula.

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Status	Advanced success
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PixInsight job	K85H9HJF9JEOT2Q4RY3B7IX91SXZI1BH
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RA (center)	22h17m43s.831
RA (top/left)	22h23m10s.461
RA (top/right)	22h12m38s.350
RA (bottom/right)	22h12m25s.580
RA (bottom/left)	22h22m41s.410

Dec (center)	+63°07′01″.11
Dec (top/left)	+63°28′33″.39
Dec (top/right)	+63°32′07″.67
Dec (bottom/right)	+62°44′40″.12
Dec (bottom/left)	+62°41′08″.80

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