The RCW 7 nebula, featured in this Hubble Space Telescope image, illustrates the transformation of a molecular cloud into an H II region, marked by the emergence of massive protostars. These stars emit ultraviolet light and stellar winds that shape the nebula, with Hubble capturing this process in near-infrared light, revealing the lifecycle of stars and their impact on the surrounding cloud. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Tan (Chalmers University & University of Virginia)
Hubble’s image of RCW 7 reveals massive protostars in the Puppis constellation transforming a molecular cloud into a glowing H II region, showcasing the birth and evolution of stars.
A visually striking collection of interstellar gas and dust is the focus of this stunning
The Role of H II Regions
H II regions are filled with hydrogen ions — where H I refers to a normal hydrogen
Reference: “Dynamics of a massive binary at birth” by Yichen Zhang, Jonathan C. Tan, Kei E. I. Tanaka, James M. De Buizer, Mengyao Liu, Maria T. Beltrán, Kaitlin Kratter, Diego Mardones and Guido Garay, 18 March 2019, Nature Astronomy.
DOI: 10.1038/s41550-019-0718-y