S106 Nebula: Star Forming Region (Picture of the Day)

S106

S106 (also known as Sharpless 106) is a reflection nebula about 2000 light years away in the constellation of Cygnus. It spans 2 light years across. A massive star named IRS 4 is the cause of the nebula. It's only 100,000 years old and the nebula is caused by the material streaming out from the new born star. The gas and dust orbiting the star IRS 4 creates the hourglass shape of the nebula. The dust reflects light from IRS 4 and thus becoming a reflection nebula.

Image Credit: Hubble

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