The Kleinmann-Low Nebula
The most active part of the
Orion Nebular Cloud Complex
is an area known as the
Kleinmann-Low Nebula.
There, a cluster of young and forming stars
is embedded in a
molecular cloud filled with
dust.
In visible light, the dark dust blocks much of Orion KL's light, but in the
infrared light of the above photograph, the area seems literally to explode.
Hot
stellar winds flowing off massive young stars in
Orion KL region permeate and heat surrounding gas, causing
finger-like intrusions.
Near the center of Orion KL is
IRc2, a particularly active star estimated to have over
30 times the mass of
our Sun.
Radio telescopes have
recently detected unusual emission from water molecules -
maser radiation from the Kleinmann-Low Nebula.