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Molecular cloud facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Young Stars in the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud
Young stars surrounded by a giant molecular cloud in the Ophiuchus constellation

A molecular cloud is a kind of cloud in space. It has enough density and size so that molecules can form, usually molecules of hydrogen (H2). Molecular hydrogen is not easy to find. Instead astronomers use infrared telescopes and radio telescopes to look for CO (carbon monoxide). This lets them find the hydrogen molecules that are also there.

Images for kids

  • Violent birth announcement from an infant star

    Circinus molecular cloud has a mass around 250,000 times that of the Sun.

  • Part of the Taurus Molecular Cloud

    Part of the Taurus Molecular Cloud.

  • Barnard 68

    Molecular cloud Barnard 68, about 500 ly distant and 0.5 ly in diameter.

  • Cepheus B

    Young stars in and around molecular cloud Cepheus B. Radiation from one bright, massive star is destroying the cloud (from top to bottom in this image) while simultaneously triggering the formation of new stars.

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Molecular cloud Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.