A star formation laboratory
Galaxy NGC 4214, pictured here in an image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope’s newest camera, is an ideal location to study star formation and evolution. Dominating much of the galaxy is a huge glowing cloud of hydrogen gas in which new stars are being born. A heart-shaped hollow — possibly galaxy NGC 4214’s most eye-catching feature — can be seen at the centre of this. Inside this cavity lies a large cluster of massive, young stars ranging in temperature from 10 000 to 50 000 degrees Celsius. Their strong stellar winds are responsible for the creation of this bubble. These features have the effect of stemming any further star formation due to the subsequent lack of gas.
Credit:NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration. Acknowledgment: R. O’Connell (University of Virginia) and the WFC3 Scientific Oversight Committee
About the Image
| Id: | heic1109a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 12 May 2011, 15:00 |
| Related releases: | heic1109 |
| Size: | 3848 x 3273 px |
About the Object
| Name: | NGC 4214 |
| Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Size : Dwarf |
| Distance: | 10 million light years |
| Constellation: | Canes Venatici |
| Category: | Galaxies |
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 12 15 39.18 |
| Position (Dec): | 36° 19' 39.89" |
| Field of view: | 2.54 x 2.16 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 168.4° right of vertical |
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Ultraviolet UV | 225 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Ultraviolet U | 336 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Optical B | 487 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Optical H-beta | 487 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Optical Oiii | 502 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Optical V | 547 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Optical H-alpha + Nii | 657 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Infrared I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |