The Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope turned its sights on nebulae clouds within the constellation Sagittarius. Known as the IC 4678 area to astronomers, this region represents a birthing place for stars and shows a snapshot of the evolution cycle of matter in galaxies.

The nebulae will eventually condense into star formation regions. Millions of years later, newborn stars will have blown their initial envelope of gas back into the void. Eventually, the cluster will dissolve and each star will find a path into the arms of the galaxy to mingle with older generations of stars.

The overall image (slightly larger than shown here) represents just one square degree of sky, meaning four full moons could fit within the frame.

--J.-C. Cuillandre & G. Anselmi and SPACE.com Staff

Credit: Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope/Coelum/J.-C. Cuillandre & G. Anselmi