To commemorate the Chinese New Year, NASA has shared a captivating three-dimensional image of a nebula, shaped like a dragon, created using data collected from the SOFIA mission. The Chinese New Year Lunar, also known as New Year, began on February 10 and is celebrated as the “Year of the Wood Dragon,” signifying the transition from winter to spring.
The image, depicting the Orion Nebula, Earth’s nearest star-formation nursery, showcases intricate details of the nebula’s structure, including a “bubble” formed by a powerful stellar wind clearing gas and dust. This phenomenon allows massive stars to regulate star formation in their vicinity, offering valuable insights to astronomers.
Explaining the features of the image, NASA highlighted the blue center of the nebula surrounded by red wispy fragments, illustrating the dynamic nature of this stellar environment.
While the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) mission has concluded its science flights, data collected over 732 observation nights remains available for further study by scientists. SOFIA’s contributions have unveiled unseen facets of the universe, enriching our understanding of cosmic phenomena.
Social media users expressed awe and appreciation for the stunning image, with many expressing gratitude to NASA for sharing such captivating glimpses of the cosmos. Each Chinese New Year is associated with a zodiac sign, with 2024 being designated as the Year of the Dragon, following the Year of the Rabbit in 2023 and preceding the Year of the Snake in 2025.
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