IC 2944 in Centaurus

Distance: 5,900 Light Years

by Robert Gendler

IC2944 is a large HII region (star forming cloud) in the southern constellation of Centaurus.

The bright blue star near the center is Lambda Centauri, one of the brightest stars in the southern sky.The cluster of hot blue stars in the center are illuminating the gases of IC2944 and causing it to glow in the red and magenta light of excited hydrogen.

IC 2944 in Centaurus

Distance: 5,900 Light Years

by Robert Gendler

IC2944 is a large HII region (star forming cloud) in the southern constellation of Centaurus.

The bright blue star near the center is Lambda Centauri, one of the brightest stars in the southern sky.The cluster of hot blue stars in the center are illuminating the gases of IC2944 and causing it to glow in the red and magenta light of excited hydrogen.