This infrared image shows a Helix nebula 700 light years away from Earth in the constellation Aquarius.
Source: NASA
The Carina nebula, shown below, contains Eta Carinae, a massive star around 100 times the size of the sun.
Source: NASA
Two extremely bright stars omit a greenish fog, comprised of carbon and hydrogen compounds found right here on Earth in vehicle exhaust.
Source: Caltech
This formation, overtaking the Crab nebula, represents the leftovers from a star's spectacular death in Taurus in 1054 A.D.
Source: Caltech
This photo of Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud contains more than 300 newborn stars. It's one of the closest star-forming regions to our own solar system.
Source: NASA
The "flames" in this Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy are actually giant ripples of dust, spanning hundreds of light years.
Source: Caltech
Powerful winds and intense radiation surrounding high mass stars create large columns of gas and dust, seen on the sides of the photo.
Source: Caltech
M33 is one of the Milky Way's closest galactic neighbors, located about 2.9 million light years away.
Source: Caltech
Here, new stars "hatch" from the constellation Orion's head. Astronomers suspect shock waves from a supernova nearly three million years ago initiated the birth.
Source: Caltech