W5: The Soul of Star Formation

Explanation: Where do stars form? Many times, stars form in energetic regions where gas and dark dust are pushed around in chaotic mayhem. Pictured , bright massive stars near the center of W5 , the Soul Nebula , are exploding and emitting ionizing light and energetic wind s. The outward-moving light and gas push away and evaporate much surrounding gas and dust , but leave pillars of gas behind dense protective knots . Inside these knots, though, stars also form. The featured image highlights the inner sanctum of W5, an arena spanning about 1,000 light years that is rich in star forming pillars . The Soul Nebula, also cataloged as IC 1848 , lies about 6,500 light years away toward the constellation of the Queen of Aethopia ( Cassiopeia ). Likely, in few hundred million years , only a cluster of the resulting stars will remain. Then, these stars will drift apart .