Cygnus Star Forming Region DR22
Ssc2009 15a1

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/J. Hora (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)

Observation • August 5th, 2009 • ssc2009-15a1

ssc2009-15a1

This infrared picture shows a cloud, known as DR22, bursting with new stars in the Cygnus region of the sky. Spitzer's infrared eyes can both see through and see dust, giving it a unique view into star-forming nests. The blue areas are dusty clouds, and the orange is mainly hot gas.

This image is one of the first to be taken during Spitzer's warm mission -- a new phase that began after the telescope, which operated for more than five-and-a-half years, ran out of liquid coolant. The picture was snapped with the two infrared channels that still work at Spitzer's still-quite-chilly temperature of 30 Kelvin (about minus 406 Fahrenheit). The two infrared channels are part of Spitzer's infrared array camera: 3.6-micron light is blue and 4.5-micron light is orange.

This picture was taken while the telescope was being re-commissioned, on July 21.

About the Object

Name
Cygnus RegionDR22
Type
Nebula > Type > Star Formation
Nebula > Appearance > Dark
Star > Grouping > Cluster
Star > Spectral Type > O
Distance
5,500 Light Years

Color Mapping

Band Wavelength Telescope
Infrared 3.6 µm Spitzer IRAC
Infrared 4.5 µm Spitzer IRAC

Astrometrics

Position (J2000)
RA =20h 39m 42.3s
Dec = 41° 21' 7.4"
Field of View
14.9 x 13.2 arcminutes
Orientation
North is 42.6° left of vertical