Zooming in on the star cluster NGC 3572

This zoom sequence starts with a broad panorama of the southern sky and closes in on a region of star formation centred on the cluster NGC 3572. The final detailed view was obtained using the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. It shows how the clouds of gas and dust around the cluster have been sculpted into whimsical bubbles, arcs and the odd features known as elephant trunks by the stellar winds flowing from the bright stars.