Star Forming Region NGC
3582
What's happening in the
NGC 3582 nebula? Bright stars and interesting molecules are forming. The complex nebula resides in the star forming region called
RCW 57.
Visible in this image are dense knots of dark interstellar dust, bright stars that have formed in the past few
million years, fields of glowing hydrogen gas ionized by these stars, and great loops of gas expelled by dying stars.
A detailed study of NGC 3582, also known as NGC 3584 and NGC 3576, uncovered at least 33 massive stars in the end
stages of formation, and the clear presence of the complex carbon molecules
known as polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs).
PAHs are thought to be
created in the cooling gas of star forming regions, and their development in the Sun's formation nebula five billion years ago may have been an
important step in the development of life on Earth.
