What is the cause of this unusual parabolic structure? This illuminated cavity, known as LDN 1471, was created by a newly forming star, seen as the bright source at the peak of the parabola. This protostar is experiencing a stellar outflow which is then interacting with the surrounding material in the Perseus Molecular Cloud, causing it to brighten. We see only one side of the cavity -- the other side is hidden by dark dust. The parabolic shape is caused by the widening of the stellar-wind blown cavity over time. Two additional structures can also be seen either side of the protostar; these are known as Herbig-Haro objects, again caused by the interaction of the outflow with the surrounding material. What causes the striations on the cavity walls, though, remains unknown. ESA’s Hubble Space Telescope after an original detection by the Spitzer Space Telescope.
LDN 1471: A Windblown Star Cavity
AI-generated summary
LDN 1471 is a parabolic cavity created by a newly forming star, which is the bright source at its peak. This protostar is producing a stellar outflow that interacts with the surrounding material in the Perseus Molecular Cloud, causing the cavity to brighten. Only one side of the cavity is visible, as the other is obscured by dark dust. The parabolic shape results from the expansion of the cavity over time. Additionally, two Herbig-Haro objects are visible on either side of the protostar, also formed by the outflow's interaction. The cause of the striations on the cavity walls remains unknown. This observation was made by ESA’s Hubble Space Telescope following an initial detection by the Spitzer Space Telescope.