Molecular Cloud
A dense and cold region of interstellar space composed primarily of molecular hydrogen, serving as the birthplace of stars. The molecular cloud associated with NGC 346 is actively forming new stars.
Source: science.nasa.gov
APODs including "Molecular Cloud"
Helping Hand in Cassiopeia
08/11/2024
Drifting near the plane of our Milky Way galaxy these dusty molecular clouds seem to extend a helping hand on a cosmic scale. Part of a local complex of star-forming interstellar clouds they include LDN 1358, 1357, and 1355 from American astronomer Beverly Lynds' 1962 Catalog of Dark Nebulae. Presenting a challenging target for astro-imagers, the obscuring dark nebulae are nearly 3,000 light-years away, toward rich starfields in the northern constellation Cassiopeia. At that distance, this deep, telescopic field of view would span about 80 light-years.