The Evolving Universe

Smithsonian Institution

Tarantula Nebula • NGC 2070

Tarant2 image

Credit: NASA/STScI/AURA

Observers: Hubble Heritage Team

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The Tarantula nebula, a star formation region 50 times larger than the Orion Nebula, is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud - one of the Millky Way's nearest galactic neighbours. This image reveals that star formation in other galaxies happens in the same way it does in our own.

  • Distance from Earth: 160,000 light years
  • Telescope: Hubble
  • Light: Visible