Astronomy Picture of the Day

The cosmic brush of star formation composed this alluring mix of dust and dark nebulae. Cataloged as Sh2-239 and LDN 1551, the region lies near the southern end of the Taurus molecular cloud complex some 450 light-years distant. Stretching for nearly 3 light-years, the canvas abounds with signs of embedded young stellar objects driving dynamic outflows into the surrounding mediumSh2-239: Celestial Impasto  Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, University of ... Full Story