Sculpting Star Clouds

Blasts of intense radiation emanating from some of the most massive stars known wreak havoc with the surrounding gas and dust in this stunning infrared view from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.

Located some 8,000 light-years from Earth, the Eta Carinae star system shines with a power equivalent to that of five million suns.

The outflow of energy from just two monster stars at the center of the glowing cloud sculpts giant pillars of dust, while carving out enormous cavities in the surrounding nebula.