Dark Doodad Nebula

The Dark Doodad Nebula is a dark nebula near the globular cluster NGC 4372, much closer than the centre of the galaxy and in the galactic plane, having a length of nearly three degrees of arc. Although officially unnamed, this long molecular cloud has come to be known under this name. It can be found in the southern constellation of Musca (the Fly) with strong binoculars.[1]

Dark Doodad Nebula
Dark nebula
The Dark Doodad is the vertical streak at center
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension12h 25m 00s
Declination−71° 42′ 00″
ConstellationMusca
Physical characteristics
Dimensions≈3 degrees
DesignationsSandqvist 149, CG 21, BHR 80, TGU H1875, DCld 301.7-07.2, [DB2002b] G301.70-7.16

This cloud consists of regions of dense gas and dust, and is one of the closest star forming regions to the Solar System.[2] It was described in Sky & Telescope as one of the finest dark nebulae—one that is "wonderful, winding, and very definite".[3] Just to the east of the southern end of the Dark Doodad is NGC 4372.[3] It has also been called the Musca nebula and grouped as the Musca-Chamaeleonis Molecular Cloud.[4]

History

The nebula was catalogued by Aage Sandqvist, astronomer at Stockholm Observatory, in 1977.[5] The name Dark Doodad was given to it by American amateur astronomer and writer Dennis di Cicco in 1986 upon seeing an image he took from Alice Springs in central Australia.[1][6] Steven Coe gave it the name Sandqvist 149, because he believed it should be named after the astronomer who found it, though he acknowledges that the popular term prevails.[2]

Images
Dark Doodad Nebula in LRGB

References
  1. Nemiroff, R.; Bonnell, J., eds. (December 8, 2008). "The Dark Doodad Nebula". Astronomy Picture of the Day. NASA. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  2. Coe, Steven R. (2007). Nebulae and How to Observe Them. New York, New York: Springer. p. 95. ISBN 978-1-84628-482-3.
  3. Whitman, Alan (February 2002). "Nebulae of the Deep South". Sky & Telescope. Vol. 103, no. 2. p. 108. Bibcode:2002S&T...103b.108W.
  4. Hacar, A.; Kainulainen, J.; Tafalla, M.; Beuther, H.; Alves, J. (February 24, 2016). "The Musca cloud: A 6 pc-long velocity-coherent, sonic filament". Astronomy & Astrophysics. EDP Sciences. 587: A97. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201526015. ISSN 0004-6361.
  5. Sandqvist, Aa. (May 1977), "More southern dark dust clouds", Astronomy & Astrophysics, 57: 467, Bibcode:1977A&A....57..467S
  6. Ventrudo, Brian (May 27, 2008). "The 'Dark Doodad'". One-Minute Astronomer. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
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