Explanation:
The
Tarantula Nebula is more than 1,000 light-years in diameter --
a giant star forming region within our neighboring galaxy
the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).
That cosmic arachnid lies at the upper left of
this
expansive mosiac covering a part of the LMC
over 6,000 light-years across.
Within the Tarantula (NGC 2070), intense radiation, stellar winds and
supernova shocks from the central young cluster of massive
stars, cataloged as R136,
energize the nebular glow and shape the spidery filaments.
Around the Tarantula are other violent star-forming regions with
young star clusters, filaments and
bubble-shaped clouds.
The small but expanding remnant of
supernova 1987a, the closest supernova
in modern history, is located near the center of the view.
The rich field is about as wide
as four full moons on the sky, located in the southern
constellation
Dorado.
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