Sculpted by Luminous Stars

NASA and ESA have released a new image of NGC 346, a young star cluster, showcasing its vibrant star-forming factory.
The image combines data from the Hubble Space Telescope at infrared, optical, and ultraviolet wavelengths for the first time.
Hubble’s sensitivity and resolution helped uncover the secrets of NGC 346’s star formation by tracing the motions of stars over 11 years.
Researchers found that the stars are spiraling in toward the center of the cluster due to a stream of gas from outside fueling star formation.
The new image provides an intricately detailed view of this vibrant star-forming factory, offering insights into its dynamics and evolution.

Bright blue stars curve gently toward the center of the image. Nestled around, in front of, and behind the clustered stars are large arcs of dense, reddish-brown dust. Thin, pale-blue wisps of clouds fill the background while denser areas of pinkish clouds appear stacked upon the wispier clouds. Thousands of orange stars are visible in the background behind the clouds of the nebula.

ESA/Hubble and NASA, A. Nota, P. Massey, E. Sabbi, C. Murray, M. Zamani (ESA/Hubble)

This new image, released on April 4, 2025, showcases the dazzling young star cluster NGC 346. Although both the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope have released images of NGC 346 previously, this image includes new data and is the first to combine Hubble observations made at infrared, optical, and ultraviolet wavelengths into an intricately detailed view of this vibrant star-forming factory.

Hubble’s exquisite sensitivity and resolution were instrumental in uncovering the secrets of NGC 346’s star formation. Using two sets of observations taken 11 years apart, researchers traced the motions of NGC 346’s stars, revealing them to be spiraling in toward the center of the cluster. This spiraling motion arises from a stream of gas from outside of the cluster that fuels star formation in the center of the turbulent cloud.

Learn more about NGC 346 and the nebula it has shaped.

Image credit: ESA/Hubble and NASA, A. Nota, P. Massey, E. Sabbi, C. Murray, M. Zamani (ESA/Hubble)

link

Q. When was the new image of NGC 346 released?

A. The new image of NGC 346 was released on April 4, 2025.

Q. Which space telescopes have released images of NGC 346 previously?

A. Both the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope have released images of NGC 346 previously.

Q. What is unique about this new image of NGC 346?

A. This new image combines Hubble observations made at infrared, optical, and ultraviolet wavelengths into an intricately detailed view of NGC 346.

Q. How did the Hubble Space Telescope contribute to understanding NGC 346’s star formation?

A. Hubble’s exquisite sensitivity and resolution were instrumental in uncovering the secrets of NGC 346’s star formation.

Q. What was discovered about the motion of NGC 346’s stars using two sets of observations taken 11 years apart?

A. Researchers traced the motions of NGC 346’s stars, revealing them to be spiraling in toward the center of the cluster.

Q. Why are the stars in NGC 346 spiraling towards the center of the cluster?

A. The spiraling motion arises from a stream of gas from outside of the cluster that fuels star formation in the center of the turbulent cloud.

Q. What is NGC 346 known for?

A. NGC 346 is a vibrant star-forming factory.

Q. Who are the researchers behind the new image of NGC 346?

A. The researchers include A. Nota, P. Massey, E. Sabbi, C. Murray, and M. Zamani from ESA/Hubble.

Q. What can be learned more about by visiting the link provided?

A. By visiting the link provided, one can learn more about NGC 346 and the nebula it has shaped.

Q. Who are the organizations behind the image of NGC 346?

A. The image of NGC 346 was released by ESA/Hubble and NASA.