AFGL 2591

AFGL 2591
Reflection nebula
molecular cloud
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]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Basic data: RAFGL 2591 — Young Stellar Object". SIMBAD. Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 Johnston, K. G.; Shepherd, D. S.; Robitaille, T. P.; Wood, K. (2013). "The standard model of low-mass star formation applied to massive stars: a multi-wavelength picture of AFGL 2591". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 551: A43,1–23. arXiv:1212.1719Freely accessible. Bibcode:2013A&A...551A..43J. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201219657.
  3. 1 2 Sanna, A.; Reid, M. J.; Carrasco-González, C.; et al. (2012). "Clustered star formation and outflows in AFGL 2591". The Astrophysical Journal. 745 (2): 191–200. arXiv:1111.0843Freely accessible. Bibcode:2012ApJ...745..191S. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/745/2/191.
  4. "Gemini Spies Strong Stellar Gusts in Nearby Massive Star". Gemini Observatory. 23 July 2001. Retrieved 28 April 2014.


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