The glowing gas cloud LHA 120-N55 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

In this image from ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), light from blazing blue stars energises the gas left over from the stars’ recent formation. The result is a strikingly colourful emission nebula, called LHA 120-N55, in which the stars are adorned with a mantle of glowing gas. Astronomers study these beautiful displays to learn about the conditions in places where new stars develop.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso1616a
Type:Observation
Release date:18 May 2016, 12:00
Related releases:eso1616
Size:1694 x 1776 px

About the Object

Name:LHA 120-N 55
Type:Local Universe : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Distance:160000 light years
Constellation:Dorado
Category:Nebulae

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Coordinates

Position (RA):5 32 18.29
Position (Dec):-66° 26' 15.73"
Field of view:7.12 x 7.46 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° left of vertical