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| Molecular cloud | |
|---|---|
| Giant molecular cloud | |
 Map of the Perseus molecular cloud | |
| Observation data:J2000.0[1]epoch | |
| Right ascension | 03h 35.0m[1] |
| Declination | +31° 13′[1] |
| Distance | 956–1047 ly (293–321[2] pc) |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 6°×2° |
| Constellation | Perseus |
| Designations | Perseus Molecular Cloud, Perseus Cloud, Per MCld, Per Mol Cloud, Perseus Complex, PMC[1] |
| See also:Lists of nebulae | |
ThePerseus molecular cloud (Per MCld) is a nearby (~1000 ly)giant molecular cloud in theconstellation ofPerseus and contains over 10,000 solar masses of gas and dust covering an area of 6 by 2 degrees. Unlike theOrion molecular cloud it is almost invisible apart from two clusters,IC 348 andNGC 1333, where low-mass stars are formed. It is very bright at mid and far-infrared wavelengths and in the submillimeter originating in dust heated by the newly formed low-mass stars.
It shows a curious ring structure in maps made by theIRAS andMSX satellites and theSpitzer Space Telescope and has been detected by theCOSMOSOMAS at microwave frequencies as a source of anomalous "spinning dust" emission.
