NGC 3576
Emission nebula
NGC 3576. Credit ESO.
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension11h 11m 32.7s[1]
Declination−61° 21′ 44″[1]
Distance6,000[2] ly
ConstellationCarina
Physical characteristics
Radius50 ly
DesignationsGAL 291.30-00.7, RCW 57A, BRAN 348A, GAL 291.27-00.71, [GG70] 291.3-0.7, GAL 291.28-00.71, GUM 38a, [GS70] 291.3-00.7
The location of NGC 3576 (circled in red)

NGC 3576 is a bright emission nebula in the Sagittarius arm of the galaxy a few thousand light-years away from the Eta Carinae nebula. It is also approximately 100 light years across and 9000 light-years away from Earth.[3] It was discovered by John Frederick William Herschel on 16 March 1834.[4] This nebula has received six different classification numbers. Currently, astronomers call the entire nebula NGC 3576. A popular nickname is "The Statue of Liberty Nebula" because of the distinctive shape in the middle of the nebula. The name was first suggested in 2009 by Dr. Steve Mazlin, a member of Star Shadows Remote Observatory (SSRO).[5] Within the nebula, episodes of star formation are thought to contribute to the complex and suggestive shapes. Powerful winds from the nebula's embedded, young, massive stars shape the looping filaments.[6]

Statue of Liberty Nebula in Hubble Palette by amateur astronomer Mark Johnston

References

  1. 1 2 "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  2. ↑ "Atlas of the Universe". Archived from the original on 2015-07-18. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  3. ↑ "NGC 3576, the Statue of Liberty Nebula". 27 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "Category:NGC 3576 - Wikimedia Commons".
  5. ↑ "Star Shadows Remote Observatory Gallery".
  6. ↑ "APOD: 2008 March 26 - The NGC 3576 Nebula". apod.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-11.


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