A remarkable cosmic formation resembling a bat has been unveiled by astronomers using the European Southern Observatory“s telescope in Chile. This image, which coincides with the Halloween season, showcases a nebula glowing in red hues, illuminated by newly formed stars. The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) utilized its wide field of view to capture this expansive cloud of interstellar gas and dust, which takes on the eerie shape of a flying bat.
Located approximately 10,000 light-years from Earth, this “cosmic bat” can be found drifting between the southern constellations of Circinus and Norma. The nebula spans an area of the sky roughly equivalent to four full Moons. In the striking image, it appears to swoop towards a bright region of light above, suggesting a predatory motion.
This intriguing structure serves as a stellar nursery, a vast region filled with gas and dust where new stars are birthed. The young stars within this nebula emit significant radiation, energizing the surrounding hydrogen gas and causing it to glow in deep shades of red. The darker, thread-like formations resemble the bat”s skeletal wings, composed of cooler and denser material that obscures the light from stars behind them.
The prominent features of this nebula correspond to well-documented star-forming regions in the southern hemisphere. For instance, RCW 94 constitutes the right wing of the bat, while RCW 95 forms its central body. Other parts of this structure remain unnamed, enhancing the nebula”s mysterious and otherworldly appeal.
This extraordinary observation was made possible by the VST, which is operated by the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) and situated at the ESO“s Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert of Chile. The telescope is particularly adept at imaging large cosmic formations like this nebula. Equipped with OmegaCAM, a camera boasting 268 megapixels, astronomers can capture highly detailed, wide-field images of the night sky.
To produce the final image, scientists integrated data obtained through various filters, each designed to detect different light wavelengths. The nebula”s red glow was primarily recorded in visible light as part of the VST Photometric Hα Survey of the Southern Galactic Plane and Bulge (VPHAS+). Additional infrared observations from ESO“s Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA), part of the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) survey, uncovered hidden details within the densest areas of the nebula.
Both surveys are publicly accessible, encouraging anyone to delve into these stunning cosmic vistas. As Halloween approaches, take a moment to appreciate the haunting beauty of the universe. Happy Halloween!
