| Reflection nebula | |
|---|---|
| molecular cloud | |
.jpg) | |
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 20h 29m 24.867s[1] |
| Declination | +40° 11′ 19.41″[1] |
| Distance | 3330±110[2] pc |
| Apparent diameter | 0.51' [1] |
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | est. 0.87–2.0[2] pc |
| Notable features | high-mass star-forming region[3] |
| Designations | AFGL 2591 IRAS 20275+4001 RAFGL 2591[1] |
AFGL 2591 is a star forming region in the constellation Cygnus. Its dense cloud of gas and dust make its interior invisible to optical telescopes. Images in the infrared show a bright young stellar object, with an associated reflection nebula seen as a glowing cone projecting from the young star. A cluster of stars is forming within the molecular cloud, but most of the infrared radiation is coming from this star, AFGL 2591-VLA3.[3]
Initially AFGL 2591 was thought to be a single young, massive star expelling clouds of gas and dust in multiple events. It was estimated to be about 10 times the mass of the sun and at a distance of only 1,000 parsecs (3,300 light-years).[4]
- ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference
SIMBADwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
JohnstonShepherd2013was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
SannaReid2012was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Gemini Spies Strong Stellar Gusts in Nearby Massive Star". Gemini Observatory. 23 July 2001. Retrieved 28 April 2014.