This was
your sky.

M17: Omega Nebula Star Factory

Stars continue to form in the dark clouds of dust and molecular gas known as M17, the Omega Nebula. This photograph, taken by the New Technology Telescope, shows clouds so dark they appear almost empty of near-infrared light. This darkness is due to thick, carbon-based dust absorbing background starlight. As bright, massive stars form, they produce intense light that slowly heats and disperses these clouds.