The Star Pillars of Sharpless 171 . ... Credit Copyright: Nicolas Outters ( Observatoire d'Orange ) Explanation: Towering pillars of cold gas and dark dust adorn the center star forming region of Sharpless 171. ... As energetic light emitted by young massive stars boils away the opaque dust , the region fragments and picturesque pillars of the remnant gas and dust form and slowly evaporate . ... Pictured above is the active central region of the Sharpless 171 greater emission nebula. ...