Snowflake Cluster

Snowflake Cluster
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Constellation Monoceros
Distance 2.4 kly
Physical characteristics
Other designations NGC 2264

The Snowflake Cluster is a cluster in Monoceros and is included in NGC 2264.

Name

The stars appear to have formed in regularly spaced intervals along linear structures in a configuration that resembles the spokes of a wheel or the pattern of a snowflake. Hence, astronomers have nicknamed their new discovery the "Snowflake Cluster."

Information

Scientists believe that these are very young protostars, or newborn stars. At a mere 100,000 years old, these infant structures have yet to "crawl" away from their location of birth. Over time, the natural drifting motions of each star will break this order, and the snowflake design will be no more. The Spitzer observations show that just as theory predicts, the density and temperature of the initial star-forming cloud dictates the spacing between the protostars.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, March 17, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.