Star Cluster R136 Bursts Out
Explanation:
In the center of star-forming region
30 Doradus lies a
huge cluster of the largest, hottest, most massive stars known.
These stars, known as the
star cluster R136,
and part of the surrounding nebula are captured here in
this gorgeous visible-light image from the
Hubble Space Telescope.
Gas and
dust clouds in
30 Doradus, also known as the
Tarantula Nebula,
have been sculpted into elongated shapes by powerful
winds and
ultraviolet radiation
from these hot cluster stars.
The
30 Doradus Nebula lies within a neighboring galaxy,
the
Large Magellanic Cloud, located a mere 170,000
light-years away.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
