Carina Nebula (NGC 3372), infrared image. The massive stars in the interior of this nebula emit intense radiation that causes the surrounding gas to glow. By contrast, other regions of the nebula contain dark pillars of dust cloaking newborn stars. This starbirth region is about 7500 light years from Earth, in the constellation of Carina. It is also known as the Eta Carinae Nebula. Nebulae are clouds of gas and dust in space, many light years across, containing the materials to form new stars and planets. This image was obtained by the VIRCAM instrument on VISTA (the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy). Image published in 2018.