                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2025 April 28
   A starfield is shown dominated by a purple and red nebula. Several dark
    dust pillars are visible that appear not unlike tadpoles. Please see
               the explanation for more detailed information.

                      Gum 37 and the Southern Tadpoles
   Image Credit & Copyright: Francis Bozon & Cecil Navick (AstroA. R. O.)

   Explanation: This cosmic skyscape features glowing gas and dark dust
   clouds alongside the young stars of NGC 3572. A beautiful emission
   nebula and star cluster, it sails far southern skies within the
   nautical constellation Carina. Stars from NGC 3572 are toward top
   center in the telescopic frame that would measure about 100 light-years
   across at the cluster's estimated distance of 9,000 light-years. The
   visible interstellar gas and dust, shown in colors of the Hubble
   palette, is part of the star cluster's natal molecular cloud, itself
   cataloged as Gum 37. Dense streamers of material within the nebula,
   eroded by stellar winds and radiation, clearly trail away from the
   energetic young stars. They are likely sites of ongoing star formation
   with shapes reminiscent of the Tadpoles of IC 410 -- better known to
   northern skygazers. In the coming tens to hundreds of millions of
   years, gas and stars in the cluster will be dispersed though, by
   gravitational tides and by violent supernova explosions that end the
   short lives of the massive cluster stars.

                   Tomorrow's picture: disappearing rings
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