This dramatic brand-new view of the nebula was caught with the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph 2 (FORS2) instrument on ESOs Very Large Telescope (VLT), and released on the occasion of ESOs 60th anniversary. Credit: ESO
The image was captured with the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph 2 (FORS2) instrument on ESOs Very Large Telescope (VLT), and was launched on the occasion of ESOs 60th anniversary. The image in this release was developed as part of the ESO Cosmic Gems program, an outreach effort to produce images of fascinating, visually appealing or intriguing objects using ESO telescopes, for the purposes of education and public outreach. All information gathered may also be suitable for scientific purposes, and are made readily available to astronomers through ESOs science archive.
This video begins with our place in the galaxy, revealing the stellar and dirty band of the Milky Way. Zooming in towards it, we move to the constellation Monoceros (The Unicorn), next to Orion, where the large star-forming region of the NGC 2264 cluster can be found. Within this cluster, we find the pillar-like shape of the Cone Nebula. The dramatic new view of the nebula shown at the end of the video, showcases its impenetrable and dark cloudy appearance. The image was caught with the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph 2 (FORS2) instrument on ESOs Very Large Telescope (VLT), and was released on the celebration of ESOs 60th anniversary. Credit: ESO/L. Calçada, ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2. Acknowledgment: D. De Martin. Music: Azul Cobalto
In this new image, the seven-light-year-long pillar of the Cone Nebula is center-stage, This becomes part of the bigger star-forming region NGC 2264 and was found in the late 18th century by astronomer William Herschel. In the sky, this horn-shaped nebula is discovered in the constellation Monoceros (The Unicorn), a remarkably fitting name.
Located less than 2500 light-years away, the Cone Nebula is reasonably near Earth, making it a well-studied object. However, this view is more significant than any acquired before, as it showcases the nebulas dark and impenetrable cloudy appearance in such a way that makes it look like a mythological creature.
This image from the Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) reveals the area of the sky around the Cone Nebula. The nebulous location at the center of the image is NGC 2264, an area of the sky that consists of the Christmas Tree star cluster and the Cone Nebula below it (at the very center of the frame). Credit: ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2, Acknowledgment: D. De Martin
The Cone Nebula is an ideal example of the pillar-like shapes that develop in the giant clouds of cold molecular gas and dust, understood for creating brand-new stars. This type of pillar emerges when enormous, freshly formed intense blue stars emit outstanding winds and extreme ultraviolet radiation that blow away the product from their area. As this product is pushed away, the gas and dust even more far from the young stars get compressed into dense, dark, and tall pillar-like shapes. This process assists create the dark Cone Nebula, pointing away from the fantastic stars in NGC 2264.
In this image, obtained with the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph 2 (FORS2) on ESOs VLT in Chile, hydrogen gas is represented in blue and sulfur gas in red. Making use of these filters makes the otherwise intense blue stars, which indicate current star development, appear practically golden, contrasting with the dark cone-like sparklers.
This chart reveals the area of the Cone Nebula in the constellation Monoceros (The Unicorn), in red. The map shows the majority of the stars noticeable to the unaided eye under excellent conditions. Credit: ESO, IAU and Sky & & Telescope
This image is just one example of the numerous sensational and amazing observations ESO telescopes have made in the past 60 years. While this one was acquired for outreach purposes, the frustrating majority of ESOs telescope time is dedicated to clinical observations that have permitted them to record the very first image of an exoplanet, study the great void at the center of our home galaxy, and find evidence that the expansion of our Universe is speeding up.
Building on their 60 years of experience in astronomy discovery, development, and cooperation, ESO continues to chart new territory for astronomy, technology, and international partnership. With our current centers and ESOs upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), we will continue resolving humanitys greatest questions about deep space and making it possible for inconceivable discoveries.
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The image in this release was created as part of the ESO Cosmic Gems program, an outreach effort to produce images of intriguing, appealing or aesthetically attractive items utilizing ESO telescopes, for the purposes of education and public outreach. The program uses telescope time that can not be utilized for science observations. All data collected may likewise be suitable for clinical purposes, and are made offered to astronomers through ESOs science archive.
This dramatic brand-new view of the nebula was recorded with the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph 2 (FORS2) instrument on ESOs Very Large Telescope (VLT), and launched on the celebration of ESOs 60th anniversary. Credit: ESO
A Wondrous Star Factory Image Marks 60 Years of Collaboration
For the previous 60 years, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) has been allowing researchers worldwide to discover the tricks of deep space. They mark this turning point by bringing you an amazing brand-new picture of a star factory, the Cone Nebula, taken with ESOs Very Large Telescope (VLT).
Five nations signed the convention to develop ESO on October 5, 1962. Now, six decades later and supported by 16 Member States and tactical partners, ESO unites researchers and engineers from around the world to develop and run sophisticated ground-based observatories in Chile that make it possible for advancement astronomical discoveries.
On the occasion of ESOs 60th anniversary, they released this remarkable new image of the Cone Nebula, recorded previously this year with one of ESOs telescopes and chosen by ESO staff. This belongs to a project marking ESOs 60th anniversary and happening in late 2022, both on social media under the #ESO 60years hashtag, and with regional events in the ESO Member States and other nations.
