While some interstellar dust only reflects the light of nearby stars, we're sometimes treated to a magnificent display when the energy from the nearby stars is sufficient to ionize the surrounding gas, resulting in the emission of light at a small bandwidth in the red spectrum. This light, with a wavelength of 656.28 nm, is indicative of a hydrogen ion falling from its third to its second energy level. Here, the emission of the Elephant's Trunk Nebula is shown in detail largely in part due to its emission of this Hydrogen-Alpha component of the visible spectrum.
| Copyright: |
© Frederick Steiling.
All rights reserved. |
| Image Source: | digital |
| Date Taken: | 11.2015 |
| Total Views: | 12 |
| Filed Under: | Astronomy |
| Date Uploaded: | Nov. 14, 2015, 3:30 p.m. |
| Camera Make: | SBIG |
| Camera Model: | STF-8300M |
