The Low Galactic Latitude Molecular Cloud IC 5146

The Low Galactic Latitude Molecular Cloud IC 5146
From CFHT Wide Field Imaging Gallery
These observations of the low galactic latitude molecular cloud IC5146 will allow astronomers to characterize the small scale variations of dust extinction across this opaque region (Av > 5) and then probe the inner structure of a dense molecular cloud. This cloud is very close to us (200 pc) hence the number of foreground stars is low: most of the stars seen here are beyond the cloud. The reddening effect by dust on these stars will allow measuring the extinction. Note that the cloud also appears as a shadow on the diffuse galactic background light
Image Title: The Low Galactic Latitude Molecular Cloud IC 5146
Credit: Patrick Boiss  (ENS), Jean-Charles Cuillandre (CFHT), Sophie Thoraval (ENS), Laurent Pagani (DEMIRM), Gilles Duvert (LAOG)

The text is based on accompanying on-line materials.

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 Last Modified On: Sunday, December 3, 2000