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> Nebula N11A in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Nebula N11A in the Large Magellanic Cloud
author: NASA/ESA/Novapix
reference: a-neb80-11002
Image Size 300 DPI: 12 * 10 cm
N11A lies within a spectacular star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small nearby companion galaxy to our own Milky Way Galaxy, visible from the Southern Hemisphere. This nebula is particularly interesting for astronomers since it is the smallest and most compact nebula in that region and represents the most recent massive star formation event there. Shocks and strong stellar winds from the recently born, massive stars in the bright core of N11A have scooped out a cavity in the gas and dust. The fierce radiation causes the surrounding gas to fluoresce in a way similar to a neon light. Hubble's image provides a much clearer picture of the nebula, making it possible for the first time to identify the stars that actually make it glow. Such information is essential for a better understanding of the formation of massive stars, that is, stars more than 10 times as heavy as our Sun.
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