AMW6v2h0zm

• by gwolfchase scientist

  The red triangular region at the top right of this image is the edge of the field observed in the survey, so it isn't part of the data. The bright "blue" star surrounded by the "red" nebulosity (I use quotes because these colors are representing different wavelengths of infrared light) is probably a very massive star surrounded by a dust shell. These objects (and there are several in the surveyed region!) are of particular interest to the science team, because they may be massive stars ejecting matter as they approach the end of their "lives". Follow-up observations (such as a high resolution visual spectra) will be necessary to verify this, but the shape of the dust shell is similar to those associated with LBVs (Luminous Blue Variables), Wolf-Rayet stars, and other post-main sequence massive stars. -- Grace Wolf-Chase

  Posted July 9, 2012 7:23 PM