DR 6
| DR 6 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observation data | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Other designations | "Galactic Ghoul"[1] |
| Associations | |
DR 6 is a cluster of stars in the Milky Way galaxy, composed of dust, gas, and about 10 large newborn stars, each roughly ten to twenty times the size of the Sun.[2] It was discovered by astronomers at NASA with the Spitzer Space Telescope, viewing the nebula using infrared light.[1][2]
The areas of the cluster that appear green are mainly composed of gas, while the parts that seem to be red are made of dust.[2]
The DR 6 nebula is located about 3,900 light-years away from the constellation Cygnus. The center of the nebula, where the ten stars are located, is roughly 3.5 light-years long,[3] roughly equivalent to the distance between our Sun and Alpha Centauri, the closest star to the Sun.[2]
"Galactic Ghoul"
The DR 6 cluster is also nicknamed the "Galactic Ghoul" because of the nebula's resemblance to a human face;[3] astronomers have described it as "some sort of freakish space face," emphasizing the cavity-like regions that look like eyes and a mouth.[2] These large cavities are the result of "energetic light" and strong stellar wind that come from the ten stars in the center of the nebula (the part also known as the "nose").[3]
Because of the nebula's spooky appearance, it was featured on the NASA website as the Astronomy Picture of the Day on All Hallows Eve, November 1, 2004.[3]
Other uses of the term
The term "Galactic Ghoul" (alternatively the "Martian Curse") has previously been used to describe the phenomenon whereby a great number of Martian space missions fail, as if the space crafts were eaten by a monster. Since 1962, roughly two-thirds of spacecrafts destined for Mars have failed before completing their mission.[4]
References
- ^ a b Wilson, Jim (2008-07-26). "Spitzer Spies 'Galactic Ghoul'". NASA. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e "Strange Space Face?". Space.com. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
- ^ a b c d Nemiroff, Robert (2004-11-01). "Spooky Star Forming Region DR 6". NASA. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Bothwell, William (2008-10-23). "Looking to Mars". Orangeville Citizen. Retrieved 2008-10-29.