SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
NASA Captures Transforming Pelican Nebula
WHY IT MATTERS
This transformation offers scientists a unique opportunity to study the evolution of star-forming regions and the impact of energetic stars on surrounding gas clouds.
What happened
The Pelican Nebula, a region of active star formation and evolving gas clouds, is slowly being transformed by the light from young energetic stars.
The advancing boundary between cold and hot gas, known as an ionization front, is visible in bright orange on the upper right of the nebula.
The transformation is expected to continue for millions of years, resulting in a significantly different appearance.
DEVELOPING STORY
Story timeline
PRIMARY SOURCES
APOD: 2026 September 7 – The Pelican Nebula in Gas, Dust, and Stars
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