Star Formation from the Carina Nebula to the Cosmic Cliffs

This scientific visualization traverses the vast star-forming region of the Carina Nebula Complex using multiwavelength data from NASA space telescopes. The narrated journey explores clusters of massive young stars, the mottled structure of dust clouds, and high-energy X-ray emission, before embarking on a 3D flight through the James Webb Space Telescope’s famous image called “Cosmic Cliffs."

The sequence starts with a brilliant star cluster in the heart of the Carina Nebula, as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope. Zooming out to reveal the large cavity energized by the cluster, the view transitions to X-ray light observations of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The extensive Chandra mosaic image showcases a broad sweep of cloudy X-rays that have not yet been fully understood. Switching to infrared light observations of the retired Spitzer Space Telescope, the zoom out reveals the expanse of dust clouds that stretch across the Carina Nebula Complex.

The video then zooms inward to the associated nebula called Gum 31, which is home to another star cluster and its cavity of hot gas surrounded by dust. A long ridge of dust clouds along the edge of the cavity is home to the Cosmic Cliffs. Shifting into a 3D exploration, the visualization examines features like dust pillars, stellar jets, and misty streams of ionized gas within this ethereal landscape.

This visualization is a product of the AstroViz Project of NASA’s Universe of Learning. A shorter, non-narrated video, “Exploring the Cosmic Cliffs in 3D,” features the experiential flythrough of that amazing vista. An additional companion visualization, “Flight to the Carina Nebula Complex," examines the location of this region both on the 2D night sky and within the 3D stars of interstellar space.

Running time: 4 minutes 25 seconds