Dust often has a bad reputation; it is seen as an unwelcome guest in homes. But in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), it contributes to spectacular sights. NASA @NASAHubble captured this impressive image of the Tarantula Nebula in the LMC, with gas, dust and multicolored stars decorating its edges.

The colors of stars are changed by the dust around them. Dust absorbs and scatters blue light more than red light, making it easier for red light to reach our telescopes. This makes stars appear redder than they really are.

Through observations with the Hubble telescope, scientists aim to better understand the role of cosmic dust in the formation of new stars and planets by studying dusty nebulae in the Large Magellanic Cloud and other galaxies.

Image description:

Multicolored stars shine through clouds of gas and dust, mostly scattered on the left side of the image. The gas appears blue here, covered with brownish-orange dust spots.

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, C. Murray