Molecular Clouds in the Carina Nebula

They are not alive -- but they are dying. The unusual forms found in the Carina nebula , a few of which are featured here, might best be described as evaporating . Energetic light and winds from nearby stars are breaking apart the dark dust grains that make the iconic form s opaque. Ironically the figures , otherwise known as dark molecular clouds or bright rimmed globules , frequently create in their midst the very stars that later destroy them . The floating space structures pictured here by the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope span a few light months. The Great Nebula in Carina itself spans about 30 light years , lies about 7,500 light years away, and can be seen with a small telescope toward the constellation of Keel( Carina ).