The RCW 38 Star Cluster in Vela: Visible light view | Digitized Sky Survey 2

The RCW 38 Star Cluster in Vela: Visible light view | Digitized Sky Survey 2

This image covers a small section of the night sky centered around the star cluster RCW 38. The sky in this image is mostly black with dark red tones. The entire image is covered by countless stars, most of them tiny, while a couple are seen as larger orange or blue-white lights. At the center are the clouds of RCW 38, here seen in a bright deep-red color. Other darker clouds create chaotic shapes across the image.

This image shows the RCW 38 stellar cluster in visible light. Dust absorbs most light at these wavelengths, hiding large areas of this cluster from us.

Distance: 5,500 light years

The Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) is a ground-based imaging survey of the entire sky in several colors of light produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute through its Guide Star Survey group.

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO) / Digitized Sky Survey 2
Acknowledgment: Davide De Martin
Release Date: Feb. 13, 2025

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