Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Herbig-Haro objects (HH objects) are small, bright patches of nebulosity associated with newly born stars. They form when jets of gas ejected by young stars collide with nearby gas and dust at high speeds.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Herbig-Haro objects are indicators of early stellar evolution and are often found in star-forming regions.
They were first discovered by George Herbig and Guillermo Haro in the 1950s.
HH objects can change significantly over short periods, making them useful for studying dynamic processes in star formation.
These objects are typically observed in visible wavelengths but can also emit radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including infrared.
The jets that create HH objects can extend for light-years from their parent stars.