APOD 4.1

This picture is called "Orion Nebula in Surrounding Dust." It shows the Orion Nebula, a hotbed of star formation, surrounded by swirling dust. The dust is created in the outer atmosphere of massive cool stars and expelled by a strong outer wind of particles. The central glowing gas appears brown and blue in color, while the filaments of dust surrounding M42 and M43 appear grey. Over the next few million years, most of this dust will slowly be destroyed by the stars that are now being formed within the nebula.
I was drawn to this image because ever since we saw the Orion Nebula through the telescope during a stargaze, I have been in love with it. On a side note, I finally was sent images from NASA's microobservatory-- of this very nebula. I'm excited.