SkipCaptcha
1,279
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Created page with "{{Night Sky | image = | designation =C99 | rightascension =12<sup>h</sup> 50<sup>m</sup> | declination =-62° 30′ | distance =600 ly | constellat..."
{{Night Sky
| image =
| designation =C99
| rightascension =12<sup>h</sup> 50<sup>m</sup>
| declination =-62° 30′
| distance =600 ly
| constellation =[[Crux]]
| type =[[Dark nebula]]
| dimensions = 7x5°
| magnitude =
| redshift =
| radvelocity =
| propmotion =
| parallax =
}}
The '''Coalsack nebula''' (C99) is a [[dark nebula]] found in the [[constellation]] of [[Crux]], the Southern Cross.<ref name=constellation-guide>[http://www.constellation-guide.com/coalsack-nebula/ Coalsack nebula] from constellation-guide.com</ref> It also partially overlaps into the constellations of [[Musca]] and [[Centaurus]]. Along with the [[Horsehead nebula]], it is one of the best known dark nebulae and visible in the Southern hemisphere. The nebula is not listed in the New General Catalogue. Then nebula is sometimes nicknamed the Black Magellanic Cloud, a joke comparing its dark appearance to the brightness of the [[Magellanic Clouds]].<ref name=astronomynow>[https://astronomynow.com/2015/10/14/zooming-into-the-coalsack-nebula/ Zooming into the Coalsack nebula] from astronomynow.com</ref>
==History==
The nebula is sufficiently large that it is easily seen with the naked eye. A such, it has been known such ancient times.<ref name=constellation-guide/> It was first recorded by a European in 1499, by the [[Spanish]] navigator Vicente Yáñez Pinzón on his journey to South America. The first proper description of the object was provided by Peter Martyr d’Anghiera, at some point between 1511 and 1521. Much later in 1970, the Finish astronomer Kalevi Mattila demonstrated that the nebula is not completely black, but instead has 10% the brightness of the surrounding [[Milky Way]]. This light derives from the reflection of the light of stars obscured by the nebula. Background stars are visible in observations with the latest telescopes.
As it has been known since prehistoric times, there are many [[myth]]s and legends surrounding the Coalsack nebula. The [[Inca]]s believe the Coalsack nebula is where their god, Ataguchu, kicked the Milky Way. A piece flew off and the nebula is what remains. The [[Aborigine|Aboriginal Australians]] believe that the nebula forms the head of an [[emu]], whose body stretches down across [[Scorpius]].
==Properties and Structure==
The Coalsack nebula is formed of thick clouds of [[dust]] and [[gas]], roughly 30-35 [[light year]]s across.<ref name=constellation-guide/> Large numbers of these dust particles have been found to possess coatings of water ice, [[nitrogen]], [[carbon monoxide]] as well as simple [[organic chemistry|organic molecules]]. In fact studies of light extinction of [[star]]s behind the nebula have shown the nebula is made from two large overlapping dust clouds, at distances of 610 and 790 light years. These clouds have masses on the order of thousands of times that of the [[Sun]].<ref>[https://oneminuteastronomer.com/2036/coalsack-nebula/ Coalsack nebula] from oneminuteastronomy.com</ref>
Although the nebula appears dark, 10% of the background light does make it through the nebula. This light is reddened due to blue light being scatted off the dust, in a similar manner to how the [[Sun]] appears redder at sunset.
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Nebulae}}
[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Nebulae]]
| image =
| designation =C99
| rightascension =12<sup>h</sup> 50<sup>m</sup>
| declination =-62° 30′
| distance =600 ly
| constellation =[[Crux]]
| type =[[Dark nebula]]
| dimensions = 7x5°
| magnitude =
| redshift =
| radvelocity =
| propmotion =
| parallax =
}}
The '''Coalsack nebula''' (C99) is a [[dark nebula]] found in the [[constellation]] of [[Crux]], the Southern Cross.<ref name=constellation-guide>[http://www.constellation-guide.com/coalsack-nebula/ Coalsack nebula] from constellation-guide.com</ref> It also partially overlaps into the constellations of [[Musca]] and [[Centaurus]]. Along with the [[Horsehead nebula]], it is one of the best known dark nebulae and visible in the Southern hemisphere. The nebula is not listed in the New General Catalogue. Then nebula is sometimes nicknamed the Black Magellanic Cloud, a joke comparing its dark appearance to the brightness of the [[Magellanic Clouds]].<ref name=astronomynow>[https://astronomynow.com/2015/10/14/zooming-into-the-coalsack-nebula/ Zooming into the Coalsack nebula] from astronomynow.com</ref>
==History==
The nebula is sufficiently large that it is easily seen with the naked eye. A such, it has been known such ancient times.<ref name=constellation-guide/> It was first recorded by a European in 1499, by the [[Spanish]] navigator Vicente Yáñez Pinzón on his journey to South America. The first proper description of the object was provided by Peter Martyr d’Anghiera, at some point between 1511 and 1521. Much later in 1970, the Finish astronomer Kalevi Mattila demonstrated that the nebula is not completely black, but instead has 10% the brightness of the surrounding [[Milky Way]]. This light derives from the reflection of the light of stars obscured by the nebula. Background stars are visible in observations with the latest telescopes.
As it has been known since prehistoric times, there are many [[myth]]s and legends surrounding the Coalsack nebula. The [[Inca]]s believe the Coalsack nebula is where their god, Ataguchu, kicked the Milky Way. A piece flew off and the nebula is what remains. The [[Aborigine|Aboriginal Australians]] believe that the nebula forms the head of an [[emu]], whose body stretches down across [[Scorpius]].
==Properties and Structure==
The Coalsack nebula is formed of thick clouds of [[dust]] and [[gas]], roughly 30-35 [[light year]]s across.<ref name=constellation-guide/> Large numbers of these dust particles have been found to possess coatings of water ice, [[nitrogen]], [[carbon monoxide]] as well as simple [[organic chemistry|organic molecules]]. In fact studies of light extinction of [[star]]s behind the nebula have shown the nebula is made from two large overlapping dust clouds, at distances of 610 and 790 light years. These clouds have masses on the order of thousands of times that of the [[Sun]].<ref>[https://oneminuteastronomer.com/2036/coalsack-nebula/ Coalsack nebula] from oneminuteastronomy.com</ref>
Although the nebula appears dark, 10% of the background light does make it through the nebula. This light is reddened due to blue light being scatted off the dust, in a similar manner to how the [[Sun]] appears redder at sunset.
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Nebulae}}
[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Nebulae]]