images

NGC 6559, emission and reflection nebula in Sagittarius

by

Anglo-Australian Observatory/David Malin Images/Novapix

Reference

a-neb65-59013

Date

2006-09-20

This dusty region is probably associated with the brighter and better-known Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae which are nearby in the sky and part of the same complex of dusty clouds. The soft red glow emitted by fluorescent hydrogen reveals that there are young hot stars associated with the dust. These bright stars also illuminate the tiny solid particles that absorb the light, producing blue reflection nebulae bordering some of the emission regions. The dust is also evident in silhouette as sinuous dark lanes and isolated patches.