The NASA Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of star formation within Lupus 3, a star-forming cloud located approximately 500 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. Observations reveal formations of gas and dust, including numerous T Tauri stars and other young stellar objects, which are in an active stage of stellar evolution.
Observations reveal formations of gas and dust, including numerous T Tauri stars and other young stellar objects, which are in an active stage of stellar evolution.
Lupus 3: A Star-Forming Region
Lupus 3 is identified as a star-forming cloud, also referred to as a nebula or dense molecular cloud, situated within the constellation Scorpius at a distance of approximately 500 light-years from Earth.
The Sun is estimated to have formed in a similar region over 4 billion years ago.
The images show bluish formations of gas and dust extending towards a dark dust cloud. The illumination from T Tauri stars within the region creates a blue reflection nebula, which is also known as GN 16.05.2 or Bernes 149. The majority of Lupus 3 appears dark in these observations.
T Tauri Stars: Early Stellar Evolution
T Tauri stars represent an active and early stage of stellar formation. These young stellar objects are typically less than 10 million years old and are considered by some reports to be rare within the Milky Way galaxy. During this phase, the surrounding gas and dust dissipate due to radiation and stellar winds emanating from the emerging star.
These stars are currently contracting under gravity as they evolve into main sequence stars. The main sequence phase is characterized by the stable fusion of hydrogen into helium in their cores.
During the T Tauri phase, stars are reported to begin nuclear fusion.
T Tauri stars exhibit variations in brightness, which can be either random or periodic:
- Random variations are attributed to instabilities in their accretion disks, material falling onto the star, or flares on the star's surface.
- Periodic changes may be caused by large "sunspots" on their surfaces rotating into and out of view.
Observational Significance
Hubble's multi-wavelength observational capabilities enable it to penetrate obscuring dust, providing insights into the processes occurring within molecular cloud complexes such as Lupus 3.
Hubble's multi-wavelength observational capabilities enable it to penetrate obscuring dust, providing insights into the processes occurring within molecular cloud complexes such as Lupus 3.
This observational data contributes to astronomers' understanding of the overall star formation process and aids in refining models of the origins of stars and planetary systems. Other molecular cloud complexes studied through similar observations include Orion, Rho Ophiuchi, Taurus, and the Eagle Nebula.