NGC 6727 is a fascinating large dust cloud located in the constellation Corona Australis, approximately 500 light-years from Earth. This region is one of the closest stellar nurseries to our solar system, making it an area of significant interest in the study of star formation. NGC 6727 is part of a complex of dark nebulae that includes NGC 6726, NGC 6729, and the dense globule Bernes 157, all of which contribute to the region’s rich tapestry of interstellar material.
This dark nebula is characterized by its thick, light-absorbing dust that obscures the background stars and creates striking silhouettes against the brighter parts of the Milky Way. The dust in NGC 6727 is composed of tiny particles of carbonaceous material and silicates, mixed with molecular gas, primarily hydrogen. This combination makes it an ideal site for the birth of new stars, as the dense regions within the cloud can collapse under gravity to form protostars.
NGC 6727 is intimately associated with reflection nebulae NGC 6726 and NGC 6729, which are illuminated by the young stars embedded within them. These stars, still in the early stages of their development, have not yet cleared away the surrounding dust, causing the light they emit to be scattered and reflected by the dust particles, creating a bluish glow. This interplay of light and shadow enhances the dramatic appearance of the region, where dark lanes of dust weave through the glowing nebulae.
Embedded within NGC 6727 are several young stellar objects, including protostars and Herbig-Haro objects, which are the result of jets of material ejected by nascent stars colliding with the surrounding gas. These interactions create bright, compact regions of emission that stand out against the darker backdrop of the nebula. The presence of these young stars and associated phenomena highlights the active star formation occurring within the cloud.
Of particular note is the beautiful semi-circular Ha-emission peppered with some faint wisps of reflection nebula (not OIII), excited rather than illuminated by the nearby star and demonstrating quite profoundly that hydrogen is a major constituent of the surrounding dust. Also to be seen is a relatively “large” spiral galaxy at the bottom of the nebula (Designation: PGC-62700, 250.000.00 light years distant).
The data consists of data captured on a rented remote system.
ASTROBIN Image Of The Day: 14.08.2024
Takahashi FSQ106-EDX4 fitted with F3.6 Reducer
10Micron GM1000 HPS
Player One Poseidon M-Pro
35,75 hrs, Gain 0 (RGB) / Gain 125 (HSO) F3.6, 382mm (573mm FF equivalent)