This dark cloud is a region located within NGC 281. Dark clouds, such as the one above, are regions in which star formation is taking place. Knots of collapsing gas separate into clumps called bok globules. Bok globules are dark and dense, but within them, the process of gravitational collapse continues. As the gas collapses the temperature rises. A globule may divide into one or more areas of collapse. These areas will become protostars. As the protostars draw in more material, a flat disk of gas with a dense centre is formed within the globule. Soon the protostar becomes a real star. This process of gravitational collapse is currently taking place within the bok globule in the image above. Although it may appear to be dark from the outside, on the inside one of the most violent and spectacular events in the universe is taking place: star formation. This is a clear example that what’s on the outside isn’t what always counts.
Image credit: NASA/ESA
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