Hubble Telescope Observes Young Stars HOPS 150 and HOPS 153 in Orion Nebula

A recent image from the Hubble Space Telescope reveals two young stars found in the Orion Nebula, a famous area known for star formation. The stars, termed HOPS 150 and HOPS 153, are located about 1,300 light-years away from Earth. The Orion Nebula is regarded as the nearest significant star-forming area to Earth and houses hundreds of newly emerging stars. The image offers a glimpse into the continuous process of star formation, depicting stars in their infancy as they accumulate material from their nearby surroundings.

As stated, based on a report from the European Space Agency (ESA), the stars were discovered through the Herschel Orion Protostar Survey carried out with the Herschel Space Observatory. HOPS 150, made up of a pair of stars that create a binary system, appears shining in vibrant golden red in the upper-right corner of the image. The binary stars are enveloped by an extensive cloud of gas and dust, which persistently supplies material for their development. The protostars are considered to be in the middle of their development, according to the light they produce across various wavelengths.

The statement also highlighted that HOPS 153, situated on the left side of the image, shows a slender jet of vibrant gas projecting outward. This jet results from the star’s evolution, as it expels material while drawing from its surrounding disk.

The vibrant jet, made up of fast-moving matter, engages with the nearby gas and dust within the nebula, affecting the creation of new stars in that area. ESA representatives have indicated that HOPS 153 remains significantly entrenched in its natal cloud of frigid, dense gas. Although the protostar itself remains hidden, the jet it produces is easily seen. As the star evolves, additional material expulsion is anticipated, which could affect the nearby nebula.