APOD: 2026 April 28 – CG 30: Cometary Globules
Summary: This Astronomy Picture of the Day features CG 30, a group of cometary globules located 1,300 light-years away near the Puppis and Vela constellations, where star formation is actively occurring.
Captured by Marcelo Salemme, this image displays a cluster of cometary globules known as CG 30, situated approximately 1,300 light-years away on the border of the Puppis and Vela constellations. These light-year-sized structures of interstellar gas and dust are being sculpted by ultraviolet radiation from nearby hot stars, which ionizes their bright rims. The globules appear to be streaming away from the Vela supernova remnant, which may have influenced their characteristic swept-back shapes. Within these dense, cold cores, low-mass stars are currently forming; notably, CG 30 exhibits a reddish glow within its head, indicating energetic jets from a protostar.
Document outline
1. Introduction to CG 30 and Cometary Globules 2. Location and Distance 3. Physical Characteristics and Formation 4. The Role of Nearby Stars and Supernova Remnants 5. Star Formation within CG 30 6. Image Credit and Copyright Information
