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The Cometary Globule DCld 343.0+2.8 - "The dark
tower"
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Object description:
The cometary globule DCld 343.0 + 2.8 in the
constellation Scorpion is better known as the "Dark Tower". It is located in
the western part of the Gum 55 emission nebula. The head of the globule is
pointing towards the open star cluster NGC 6231, which is located just outside
of the image at the lower left side. The cluster is the center of the Scorpius
OB1 association with its numerous young and hot stars which ionize the outer
part of the molecular cloud and produce the red emission nebula. In addition to
the emission nebula there are five small reflection nebulae visible in the
globule. The distance to the glubule is around 5300 light years.
Click here or the thumbnail image above for the object
identification and a comparison with the size of the Moon. |
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