TORONTO – Everyone seems to have something to offer for Valentine’s Day, and the universe is no different.
Just for you, the universe has created a beautiful portrait (seen here in high-res) called the Heart and Soul nebulae, a large star-forming region that lies about 6,000 light-years from Earth (light travels at about 300,000 km/s).
NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) imaged the pair which stretch out about 580 light-years across, in infrared light, capturing detail unseen by the human eye.
To the right is the Heart nebula, named after its resemblance to the human heart; to the left, the Soul Nebula.
Get daily National news
Nebulae (nebula, singular) are clouds of hydrogen, helium, gas, plasma, and dust that exist in space. They form when they are drawn together by gravitational forces. Our solar system likely evolved from a nebula billions of years ago.
What’s amazing about looking at the nebulae are the tendrils and clumps of gaseous material that will eventually form new stars and planets, and maybe — just maybe — life. And, because the nebulae are so far away, its light has taken thousands of years to reach us, which means we are looking back in time.
Some of those gaseous clouds have likely already begun to shine as stars. In fact, if someone were in that nebula looking back at us, they would see Earth as it was 6,000 years ago and humanity would just be starting the modern-day form of agriculture.
So today, if you’re lamenting Valentine’s Day, take heart: the universe gave you something that has been millions of years in the making.
Comments