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'''Cygnus OB2''' is an [[OB association]] that is home to some of the [[List of most massive stars|most massive]] and [[most luminous stars]] known, including [[Cyg OB2 -8A|Cyg OB2 #8]] and [[Cygnus OB2-12|Cyg OB2 #12]]. The region is embedded within a wider region of star formation known as [[Cygnus X]], which is one of the most luminous objects in the sky at radio wavelengths. The region is approximately 4,700 light years from Earth in the [[Cygnus (constellation)|constellation of Cygnus]].
'''Cygnus OB2''' is an [[OB association]] that is home to some of the [[List of most massive stars|most massive]] and [[most luminous stars]] known, including [[Cyg OB2 -8A|Cyg OB2 #8]] and [[Cygnus OB2-12|Cyg OB2 #12]]. The region is embedded within a wider region of star formation known as [[Cygnus X (star formation)|Cygnus X]], which is one of the most luminous objects in the sky at radio wavelengths. The region is approximately 4,700 light years from Earth in the [[Cygnus (constellation)|constellation of Cygnus]].


The young cluster is one of the largest known, and the largest in the northern hemisphere. Although it is over ten times more massive than the famous [[Orion Nebula]], Cygnus OB2 is much less well known due to its location behind a massive dust cloud known as the [[Great Rift (astronomy)|Cygnus Rift]], which obscures many of the stars in it. Despite this, recent surveys ranging from radio to X-ray wavelengths have observed the region to incredible depths in an attempt to gain a better understanding of how the processes of star and planet formation occur on such large scales, compared to the small scales of nearby regions. These studies include observations with some of the world's premier astronomical observatories including the [[Chandra X-ray Observatory]], [[Spitzer Space Telescope]], and the [[Herschel Space Observatory]].
The young cluster is one of the largest known, and the largest in the northern hemisphere. Although it is over ten times more massive than the famous [[Orion Nebula]], Cygnus OB2 is much less well known due to its location behind a massive dust cloud known as the [[Great Rift (astronomy)|Cygnus Rift]], which obscures many of the stars in it. Despite this, recent surveys ranging from radio to X-ray wavelengths have observed the region to incredible depths in an attempt to gain a better understanding of how the processes of star and planet formation occur on such large scales, compared to the small scales of nearby regions. These studies include observations with some of the world's premier astronomical observatories including the [[Chandra X-ray Observatory]], [[Spitzer Space Telescope]], and the [[Herschel Space Observatory]].

Revision as of 21:08, 15 January 2012

Cygnus OB2

Credit: IPHAS
Cygnus OB2 in the light of H-Alpha; 2.5° view
Object typeStellar association Edit this on Wikidata
Other designations[KPS2012] MWSC 3364
Observation data
(Epoch J2000.0)
ConstellationCygnus
20h 33m 12s[1]
Declination41° 19′ 00″
Distance4.7 kly / 1450 pc

In visual light (V)
6.1
Size
60.0′

Estimated age1 to 7 million years
Notable features
-

Cygnus OB2 is an OB association that is home to some of the most massive and most luminous stars known, including Cyg OB2 #8 and Cyg OB2 #12. The region is embedded within a wider region of star formation known as Cygnus X, which is one of the most luminous objects in the sky at radio wavelengths. The region is approximately 4,700 light years from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus.

The young cluster is one of the largest known, and the largest in the northern hemisphere. Although it is over ten times more massive than the famous Orion Nebula, Cygnus OB2 is much less well known due to its location behind a massive dust cloud known as the Cygnus Rift, which obscures many of the stars in it. Despite this, recent surveys ranging from radio to X-ray wavelengths have observed the region to incredible depths in an attempt to gain a better understanding of how the processes of star and planet formation occur on such large scales, compared to the small scales of nearby regions. These studies include observations with some of the world's premier astronomical observatories including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Herschel Space Observatory.

References

  1. ^ "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for Cygnus OB2. Retrieved 2009-12-06.