Radcliffe wave
(wave-shaped string of molecular clouds)
The Radcliffe wave is a string of star-forming regions and gas and
dust forming a wave-like shape (like a wavy string),
which at its closest point is about 400 ly from Earth,
stretching about 9000 ly in length. It stretches over some length
of the Local Arm, its wave-like shape roughly a full
wavelength, reaching above and below the galactic plane.
It was discerned in 2019/2020, using 3D data gathered from Gaia
and other observations. A portion of it consists of most of
Gould's Belt, and given that it is based upon recent, more-reliable
3D data, appears to be an actual physical structure whereas
what is currently termed Gould's Belt includes less-related
clouds.
(nebula,molecular cloud)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radcliffe_wave
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020Natur.578..237A/abstract
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022Ap.....65..579B/abstract
Redshift | Parsecs /Distance | Lightyears /Lookback Years | | |
~0 | 100pc | 400ly | | Radcliffe wave |
|
Coordinates: | Radcliffe wave J0441+2552 |
|
Referenced by page:
Gould's Belt
Index