Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is
featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2008 January 11

Polaris Dust Nebula

Image Credit & Copyright: Steve Mandel (Hidden Valley Observatory)
Research Collaboration: Adolf Witt (University of Toledo) et al.
Explanation: Centered on North Star Polaris, this 4 degree wide field of view covers part of a
complex of relatively unfamiliar, diffuse dust clouds soaring high above the plane of our Milky
Way Galaxy. The combined light of the Milky Way stars are reflected by the dusty, galactic
cirrus, the reflected starlight having the same blue tint characteristic of better known reflection
nebulae. But this deep color image also records a faint reddish luminescence from the dust
grains as they convert invisible stellar ultraviolet radiation to visible red light. Dubbed extended
red emission, the dim cosmic glow is thought to be caused by complex organic molecules
known as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), common constituents of interstellar dust.
On planet Earth, PAHs are widely encountered as the sooty products of combustion.
Tomorrow's picture: light-weekend

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