Stellar Violence in 30 Doradus
The largest, most violent star forming region known in the whole
Local
Group of galaxies lies in our neighboring galaxy the
LMC. Were 30 Doradus
at the distance of the
Orion Nebula -- a local star forming region -- it
would take up fully half the sky. Also called the
Tarantula Nebula, the red gas indicates a massive
emission nebula, although
supernova remnants and
dark nebula
also exist in
30
Doradus. The bright knot of stars just below
center is called R136 and contains many of the most massive, hottest, and
brightest stars known.