Herbig-haro object

/ˈhɛrbɪɡ ˈhɑroʊ ˈɒbdʒɛkt/ noun

Definition

A bright nebular patch formed when jets of gas from a newborn star collide with surrounding interstellar material at high speeds. These objects appear as glowing knots and streamers of gas, often changing brightness over periods of years.

Etymology

Named after American astronomers George Herbig and Mexican astronomer Guillermo Haro, who independently discovered and studied these objects in the 1940s-1950s. The term combines their surnames to honor their parallel research into these stellar nursery phenomena.

Kelly Says

These cosmic fireworks shows are actually baby stars announcing their birth! The jets can extend for light-years and travel at hundreds of kilometers per second, creating a stellar equivalent of a newborn's first cry that echoes across space for thousands of years.

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