This picture shows the Sh2-239 emission nebula. It is located near the southern end of the Taurus Molecular Cloud Complex (in the direction of the Taurus constellation). Its distance from Earth is about 450 light-years. It contains stars in different stages of their formation. Two clusters of very young stars are deeply embedded within the nebula. They drive jets of shocked hydrogen gas and dynamic outflows into the surrounding medium. In this picture many outflows are visible as bright red knots and jets. The nebula also contains many other stars that are more evolved.
Credit: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage) and H. Schweiker (WIYN and NOAO/AURA/NSF)
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