Explanation:
This cosmic pillar of gas and dust is nearly 2 light-years wide.
The structure lies within
one of our galaxy's largest star forming regions,
the Carina Nebula,
shining in
southern skies at a distance of
about 7,500 light-years.
The pillar's convoluted outlines
are shaped by the winds and radiation
of Carina's young, hot, massive stars.
But the interior of the cosmic pillar
itself is home to stars in the process of formation.
In fact, placing your cursor over this visible light image will
reveal a penetrating
near-infrared view of pillar -
now dominated by two, narrow,
energetic jets blasting outward from a
still hidden infant star.
Both visible light and near-infrared images
were made using the Hubble Space Telescope's newly installed
Wide Field Camera 3.
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