Astronomy Picture of the Day [1]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 [2]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 ([3]AstroA. R. O.) Explanation: [4]This cosmic skyscape features glowing gas and dark dust clouds alongside the young stars of [5]NGC 3572. A beautiful emission nebula and star cluster, it sails [6]far southern skies within the [7]nautical constellation Carina. Stars from NGC 3572 are toward top center in the telescopic frame that would measure about 100 [8]light-years across at the cluster's estimated distance of 9,000 light-years. The visible interstellar gas and dust, shown in [9]colors of the [10]Hubble palette, is part of the star cluster's natal [11]molecular cloud, itself cataloged as [12]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 [13]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 [14]gravitational tides and by violent [15]supernova explosions that end the short lives of the massive cluster stars. Tomorrow's picture: disappearing rings __________________________________________________________________ [16]< | [17]Archive | [18]Submissions | [19]Index | [20]Search | [21]Calendar | [22]RSS | [23]Education | [24]About APOD | [25]Discuss | [26]> __________________________________________________________________ Authors & editors: [27]Robert Nemiroff ([28]MTU) & [29]Jerry Bonnell ([30]UMCP) NASA Official: Amber Straughn [31]Specific rights apply. [32]NASA Web Privacy, [33]Accessibility, [34]Notices; A service of: [35]ASD at [36]NASA / [37]GSFC, [38]NASA Science Activation & [39]Michigan Tech. U. References 1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html 2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2504/Gum37Hoo_Bozon_4863.jpg 3. https://astroaro.fr/ 4. https://astroaro.fr/fr_gum_37/ 5. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220506.html 6. https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/ground-based-image-of-carina-constellation-2/ 7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carina_(constellation) 8. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/light-year/ 9. https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/science-behind-the-discoveries/wavelengths/ 10. https://delsaert.com/deep-sky/nebulae/h-alpha/ 11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_cloud 12. http://galaxymap.org/cat/view/gum/37 13. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap180124.html 14. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_tides/tides02_cause.html 15. https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/supernova-explosion/ 16. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250427.html 17. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html 18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html 19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html 20. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search 21. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html 22. https://apod.com/feed.rss 23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html 24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html 25. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=250428 26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250429.html 27. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html 28. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/ 29. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html 30. http://www.astro.umd.edu/ 31. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply 32. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html 33. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/ 34. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/ 35. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 36. https://www.nasa.gov/ 37. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/ 38. https://science.nasa.gov/learners 39. http://www.mtu.edu/