Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Vela (Vel)
GUM 22/23 Kissing Nebula, Logan Skies DownUnder
GUM 22/23 Kissing Nebula
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GUM 22/23 Kissing Nebula

Acquisition type: Electronically-Assisted Astronomy (EAA, e.g. based on a live video feed)

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Description

Gum 22/23 , also known as RCW 38, is a diffuse nebula visible in the constellation Vela. You can spot it about halfway between the stars λ and δ Velorum , in an area of ​​sky full of very dense star fields and other nebulae , including the famous Vela nebula. It is an HII region in which is active and vigorous the phenomenon of star formation , as evidenced by the strong infrared emission ; in the inner regions , in a diameter of 5 light years , there are a thousand hot young stars , gathered in an open cluster in formation. The X-ray emission indicates the presence of a strong magnetic field , probably produced by a supernova explosion occurred within the cluster. Although direct evidence of the explosion has been observed only thousands of years ago, the shock wave produced by the explosion could be responsible for the electronic excitation. The distance of the complex is estimated at 5500 light years.

Gum 22 (RCW 38a) is the bright nebula surrounding the O5.5V star RCW 38 IRS 2 at the core of the Gum 23 (RCW 38 ).

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GUM 22/23 Kissing Nebula, Logan Skies DownUnder