The Omega Nebula (M17)

The Omega Nebula, also known as M17 or the Swan Nebula, is a vast star-forming region around 5,000–6,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius. Spanning about 15 light-years across, it’s one of the brightest and most active stellar nurseries in our galaxy. The glowing gas and dust are illuminated by clusters of young, massive stars hidden within, giving the nebula its dramatic shape and rich color.

This image captures a small window into that cosmic workshop, where new suns are born against a backdrop of interstellar clouds.