Gamma Velorum and Its Surrounding Nebulosity
This 4 panel mosaic presents the region around Gamma Velorum, a bright Wolf-Rayet star system located approximately 1,000 light-years away in the constellation Vela.
The prominent blue glow on the left marks the presence of this massive stellar system, where strong radiation and stellar winds interact with the surrounding interstellar medium.
Wispy filaments of gas stretch across the frame, consisting of ionized hydrogen (red) and oxygen (blue-green)emissions. These structures are likely shaped by past stellar outflows and possibly supernova remnants, influenced by winds and shock waves from massive stars.
The combination of colors and textures highlights the interactions between stars and their environment, showing ongoing processes of stellar evolution and material redistribution in the galaxy.
The image was processed using a Hydrogen-Oxygen (HOO) filter palette, which enhances the distinction between different ionized gases, providing a detailed view of the structure and composition of this region of space.
RGB was used for Star color.
Imaged in HOO RGB on my Planewave DR 350 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.
Image acquisition and processing: Mike Selby