May - The Carina Nebula in infrared light

This spectacular image of the Carina Nebula, taken with ESO’s Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy at Paranal Observatory in Chile, reveals the dynamic cloud of interstellar matter and thinly spread gas and dust as never before. The massive stars in the interior of this cosmic bubble emit intense radiation that causes the surrounding gas to glow. By contrast, other regions of the nebula con-tain dark pillars of dust cloaking newborn stars.