Created from gas and dust, the pictured structure resides in a tempestuous stellar nursery called the Carina Nebula, located 7500 light-years away in the southern constellation of Carina. Taken in visible light, the image shows the tip of the three-light-year-long pillar, bathed in the glow of light from hot, massive stars off the top of the image.
Scorching radiation and fast winds (streams of charged particles) from these stars are sculpting the pillar and causing new stars to form within it. Streamers of gas and dust can be seen flowing off the top of the structure.
The Image was reprocessed from the raw (Fits data) by the astrophotographer and founder of Cosmonity Michał Ostaszewski. Image is made from filters that isolate emissions from iron, magnesium, oxygen, hydrogen and sulfur.
Data Credits: NASA, ESA
Image Processing: Michał Ostaszewski
Which print variant is for you?
Which print variant is for you?