Billowing bubbles of stellar floss spotted by Hubble

This Hubble image shows a complex cluster of emission nebulae, nestled within the Large Magellanic Cloud.

NASA, ESA, and J. M. Apellaniz (Centro de Astrobiologia (CSIC/INTA Inst. Nac. de Tec. Aero.); Image Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

Billowing bubbles of stellar floss spotted by Hubble

A bubbling region of stars both old and new lies some 160,000 light-years away in the constellation Dorado. This complex cluster of emission nebulae is known as N11, and was discovered by American astronomer and NASA astronaut Karl Gordon Henize in 1956. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope brings a new image of the cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way.
 

This inset image shows where N11 is located within the Large Magellanic Cloud

NASA, ESA, J. M. Apellaniz (Centro de Astrobiologia (CSIC/INTA Inst. Nac. de Tec. Aero.), ESO VMC Survey, and DSS2; Image Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

About 1,000 light-years across, N11’s sprawling filaments weave stellar matter in and out of each other like sparkling candy floss. These cotton-spun clouds of gas are ionized by a burgeoning host of young and massive stars, giving the complex a cherry-pink appearance. Throughout N11, colossal cavities burst from the fog. These bubbles formed as a result of the vigorous emergence and death of stars contained in the nebulae. Their stellar winds and supernovae carved the surrounding area into shells of gas and dust.

N11’s stellar activity caught the attention of many astronomers, as it is one of the largest and most energetic regions in the LMC. To investigate the distribution of stars in N11, scientists used Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys, taking advantage of its sensitivity and excellent wide-field resolution. The cluster houses a wide array of stars for Hubble to examine, including one area that has stopped forming stars, and another that continues to form them. Hubble’s unique capabilities allowed astronomers to comprehensively study the diversity of stars in the N11 complex, and map the differences between each region.

The new observations of N11 by the Hubble Space Telescope add a significant chapter to our understanding of star formation in neighboring galaxies. By peering into this vibrant region, astronomers can study the life cycles of stars in various stages of development, from newborn stellar objects to aging giants. The detailed imagery captured by Hubble not only highlights the intricate structures within N11 but also offers clues about the processes that sculpt such celestial landscapes. As one of the most active star-forming regions in the Large Magellanic Cloud, N11 provides a unique laboratory for exploring the interactions between massive stars and their environments. The contrast between areas of active star formation and regions that have ceased producing stars presents an opportunity to understand the factors influencing star birth and death. These findings contribute to broader studies of galactic evolution, helping scientists draw parallels between our own Milky Way and its smaller companions. The ongoing analysis of N11 promises to shed light on the complex dynamics of star clusters, offering a window into the cosmic mechanisms that shape the universe.