images

CG4, a cometary globule in Puppis

by

R.Gendler/Novapix

Reference

a-neb98-00103

Date

2008-02-03

Cometary globules are typically characterized by dusty heads and elongated tails. These features cause cometary globules to have visual similarities to comets, but in reality they are very much different. Cometary globules are frequently the birthplaces of stars, and many show very young stars in their heads. The reason for the rupture in the head of this object is not completely known. The galaxy to the left of center is an edge-on spiral galaxy, ESO 257-19, 100 million light years distant and only placed near CG4 by chance superposition.