NGC 1893 is a young open star cluster located about 12,000 light-years away in the constellation Auriga. This cluster is embedded within a larger region of glowing gas and dust known as the IC 410 nebula, sometimes referred to as the “Tadpole Nebula” due to the two tadpole-shaped clouds of denser gas that are found within it. These tadpoles are actually regions where new stars are forming, sculpted by powerful radiation and stellar winds from nearby hot, massive stars.
NGC 1893 contains hundreds of young, bright stars, many of which are still in the early stages of development. The cluster is thought to be around 4 million years old, a relatively short time in cosmic terms. These young stars emit intense ultraviolet radiation, which excites the surrounding hydrogen gas in IC 410, causing it to glow brightly in red and pink hues. The interaction between the stars and the nebula shapes the surrounding gas and dust, giving rise to intricate structures, including pillars, ridges, and the tadpoles.
Astronomers study NGC 1893 to understand how stars form in clusters and how they interact with their environment. The cluster’s young age and the presence of active star formation make it an ideal laboratory for observing the processes that shape star-forming regions. Observations using telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory have revealed details about the stellar winds and magnetic activity in the cluster’s stars.
NGC 1893 offers a fascinating glimpse into the early stages of star and cluster formation. It helps scientists learn more about the dynamics of young stars and their impact on surrounding nebulae, shedding light on the life cycle of stars in our galaxy.
Capture Details:
Telescope: Celestron Nexstar 8se
Reducer/Flattener: Celestron .63x Reducer/Flattener
Filter: Optolong L-Extreme
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro
Mount: Skywatcher EQM-35 Pro
Total Time: 19 hours 13 minutes
Capture Software: N.I.N.A.
Guiding: PHD2, ZWO asi120mm mini, ZWO OAG-L
Processed in: PixInsight
Additional details on Astrobin.com.