Molecular Clouds Collection (#5)

Supernova remnants and star clusters in the constellation Gemini
The Jellyfish Nebula, IC 443, at left near the star Eta Geminorum. IC 443 is a supernova remnant. At upper right is the bright open star cluster Messier 35

The Cocoon Nebula

Rays of light from a newborn nebula
Rays of light coming from a newborn nebula near a habitable solar system

An eye-shaped nebula and ring of glowing debris around a planetary system
An eye-shaped nebula, the remains of a star forming molecular cloud that is being torn apart by the supergiant at its center

Cometary Globules CG 30 / 31 / 38 in the constellations Vela and Puppis
Cometary Globules CG 30/31/38 in the constellations Vela and Puppis. Bright rimmed globules and their more evolved cousin the cometary globule represent fascinating dynamic structures formed by

Open clusters Messier 35 and NGC 2158 in the constellation Gemini

The Jellyfish Nebula and associated nebulosity
The Jellyfish Nebula (IC 443), a supernova remnant in the constellation Gemini, and associated nebulosity such as IC 444 and LDN 1565, plus the Messier open cluster Messier 35 at right

Open cluster NGC 457 in the constellation Cassiopeia. NGC 436 is at upper right and nebula Sharpless 2-188 at left

Messier 78, a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion

A nebula surrounded by stars

The Heart Nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia

Messier 52 and the Bubble Nebula in Cassiopeia
Messier 52 open cluster in Cassiopeia (upper left) and NGC 7635, the Bubble Nebula (centre)

A lonely planet is lit by two stars as it passes by a dark cloud of dust
A lonely planet is lit by two stars, both out of view, as it passes by a dark cloud of dust

Panorama near the Sagittarius region of our Milky Way galaxy
This large field contains many famous objects including the Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula, Lobster Nebula, and many others

Dark Doodad Nebula

NGC 3293, the Gem Cluster and Gabriela Mistral Nebula
NGC 3324 and 3293 are sparkling star clusters at the northwest corner of the Carina Nebula. NGC3293 is a small but very bright open cluster, called the Gem Cluster

Open cluster Messier 38 in the constellation Auriga with nearby nebulosity and small cluster NGC 1907

Narrowband image of Thackerays Globules and IC 2944, also known as the Running Chicken Nebula

The Ghost Nebula, vdB 141 in the constellation Cepheus
The Ghost Nebula, vdB 141, is a reflection nebula and isolated bok globule in the constellation Cepheus. Also Known as Sh2-136

The Eagle Nebula in the constellation Serpens
M16, the Eagle Nebula in the constellation Serpens

The Bubble Nebula, an emission nebula in Cassiopeia
The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) is a H II region emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia

IC 2944, a large H II region in the constellation of Centaurus
IC 2944, a large H II region (star forming cloud) in the southern constellation of Centaurus. The bright blue star near the center is Lambda Centauri

The constellations of Gemini and Auriga

Open cluster Hyades and giant star Aldebaran in the constellation of Taurus
The open cluster Hyades and giant star Aldebaran in the constellation of Taurus, with smaller open cluster NGC 1647 at left

A recently discovered nebula with visible habitable planets
Artists concept of a recently discovered nebula with visible habitable planets

Jupiter in the constellation Taurus with deep sky objects
Jupiter in the constellation Taurus above the Hyades open cluster and Aldebaran, below the Pleiades. NGC 1647 and NGC 1746 clusters are also visible at left

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Molecular clouds, the celestial wonders that captivate astronomers and stargazers alike, are vast regions of interstellar gas and dust where new stars are born. These cosmic nurseries hold secrets to the formation of galaxies and offer glimpses into the mysteries of our universe. One such marvel is M16, also known as The Eagle Nebula in Serpens. This breathtaking cloud showcases towering pillars of gas and dust, famously dubbed the Pillars of Creation. Within these structures lie stellar nurseries where young stars emerge from their dusty cocoons. IC 2177, better known as the Seagull Nebula, presents a stunning display with its intricate patterns resembling a graceful bird in flight. Its ethereal beauty is matched only by its neighbor - The Horsehead Nebula in the constellation Orion. This dark silhouette against a backdrop of glowing gas serves as an iconic symbol for astronomy enthusiasts worldwide. In Auriga's starry expanse lies another spectacle - The Pinwheel Cluster and Starfish Cluster. These clusters sparkle with countless stars tightly bound together, creating mesmerizing patterns that leave us awestruck. Venturing deeper into space brings us to Vela supernova remnant at the heart of Gum Nebula area in Vela constellation. Remnants from ancient stellar explosions mingle with molecular clouds, painting a picture reminiscent of fireworks frozen in time. The Rosette Nebula enchants observers with its delicate petals formed by glowing hydrogen gas illuminated by nearby newborn stars. A widefield view reveals both Orion Nebula's radiant glow and Horsehead Nebula's enigmatic silhouette side by side – two contrasting yet harmonious celestial entities coexisting within one frame. Further exploration leads us to IC 1396 emission nebula complex – an expansive region brimming with vibrant colors emanating from ionized gases excited by massive hot stars residing within it. Cygnus constellation boasts The Pelican Nebula.