nebula

Latest about nebula

A celestial shadow known as the Circinus West molecular cloud creeps across this image taken with the Department of Energy-fabricated 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera (DECam)

Astronomers gaze into 'dark nebula' 60 times the size of the solar system (video)

By Robert Lea published

Using the Dark Energy Camera astronomers have found a packed stellar nursery of infant stars in the dark nebula in the 180-light-year-wide Circinus West molecular cloud.

Astronomy
This Hubble Space Telescope image captures the beauty of the moth-like planetary nebula NGC 2899.

Hubble Telescope snaps stunning portraits of Mars, a celestial moth and more in spectacular 35th anniversary photos

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

As scientists and space enthusiasts commemorate the Hubble Space Telescope's 35 years in orbit, the mission team joined in by delivering a fresh collection of awe-inspiring images.

Hubble Space Telescope
a red and blue nebula-like display is left behind by a rocket engine's plume

SpaceX rocket launch creates a 'nebula' in the sky | Space picture of the day for April 21, 2025

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

The plume from a rocket engine burn high in Earth's atmosphere caused a glowing spectacle similar in appearance to a nebula.

Launches & Spacecraft

Stellar nursery sparkles at the edge of our galaxy in gorgeous Hubble Telescope image

By Samantha Mathewson published

The stellar nursery mirrors conditions of the early universe, scientists say.

Hubble Space Telescope
The open star cluster NGC 460 is located within a greater collection of nebulae and star clusters known as N83, within one of the Milky Way’s nearest neighbors: the Small Magellanic Cloud.

Hubble Telescope spies star-forming cocoons in neighboring galaxy (photo)

By Samantha Mathewson published

Young stars enveloped in a transformative cocoon of gas shine brightly in a new image from the Hubble Space Telescope.

Hubble Space Telescope
This collage of images from the Flame Nebula shows a near-infrared light view from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope on the left, while the two insets at the right show the near-infrared view taken by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

James Webb Space Telescope investigates the origins of 'failed stars' in the Flame Nebula

By Robert Lea published

The James Webb Space Telescope is investigating the Flame Nebula, hunting for "failed stars" to better understand how brown dwarfs form and evolve.

James Webb Space Telescope
Hubble Space Telescope image of the colorful clouds of gas and dust near the Tarantula Nebula, located in the Large Magellanic Cloud about 160,000 light-years from Earth.

Hubble Telescope sets its eyes on cosmic cotton candy near the Tarantula Nebula (photo)

By Samantha Mathewson published

The Hubble Space Telescope captured the ​​colorful, wispy clouds near the Tarantula Nebula, one of the most luminous and active star-forming regions in our galactic backyard.

Hubble Space Telescope
a highly detailed composite image of a star-forming region of space known as 30 Doradus, shaped like a bouquet, or a maple leaf. 30 Doradus is a powerful stellar nursery. In 23 days of observation, the Chandra X-ray telescope revealed thousands of distinct star systems. Chandra data also revealed a diffuse X-ray glow from winds blowing off giant stars, and X-ray gas expelled by exploding stars, or supernovas. In this image, the X-ray wind and gas takes the shape of a massive purple and pink bouquet with an extended central flower, or perhaps a leaf from a maple tree. The hazy, mottled shape occupies much of the image, positioned just to our left of center, tilted slightly to our left. Inside the purple and pink gas and wind cloud are red and orange veins, and pockets of bright white light. The pockets of white light represent clusters of young stars. One cluster at the heart of 30 Doradus houses the most massive stars astronomers have ever found. The hazy purple and pink bouquet is surrounded by glowing dots of green, white, orange, and red. A second mottled purple cloud shape, which resembles a ring of smoke, sits in our lower righthand corner.

Astronomers have brought you a space Valentine: The Tarantula of the cosmos

By Keith Cooper published

As the most intense star-forming region in the Local Group, 30 Doradus is of particular importance to astronomers.

Astronomy

3D structure of iconic Ring Nebula gives 'a brand new view of an old astronomical friend'

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

We are staring "right down the barrel of it, which is really quite surprising to me — we're just lucky."

Stars
A nebula rages in space with brilliant hues of red and blue.

Astrophotographer captures colorful portrait of the Lion Nebula in a glowing field of hydrogen gas

By Miguel Claro published

Gaze into the colorful remnants of a long-dead star in this image of the Veil Nebula captured by astrophotographer Miguel Claro.

Astrophotography
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