New stars shed light on the past — High Resolution Galaxy Images

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About the Object

Name: N90, NGC 602
Type: Local Universe : Star : Grouping : Cluster
Local Universe : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Distance: 200000 light years
Constellation: Hydrus
Category: Nebulae

This image depicts bright blue newly formed stars that are blowing a cavity in the centre of a fascinating star-forming region known as N90.

The high energy radiation blazing out from the hot young stars in N90 is eroding the outer portions of the nebula from the inside, as the diffuse outer reaches of the nebula prevent the energetic outflows from streaming away from the cluster directly. Because N90 is located far from the central body of the Small Magellanic Cloud, numerous background galaxies in this picture can be seen, delivering a grand backdrop for the stellar newcomers. The dust in the region gives these distant galaxies a reddish-brown tint.
Credit:

NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration