# The star formation region NGC 3324

- By: ESO
- Date: 2012-02-01
- Classification: Photograph
- Credit line: http://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1207a/
- Museum: [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_star_formation_region_NGC_3324.jpg)
- Rights: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
- Picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/The_star_formation_region_NGC_3324.jpg/1920px-The_star_formation_region_NGC_3324.jpg
- Who can see it: Kids profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

The Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at the La Silla Observatory has imaged a region of star formation called NGC 3324. The intense radiation from several of NGC 3324's massive, blue-white stars has carved out a cavity in the surrounding gas and dust. The ultraviolet radiation from these young hot stars also cause the gas cloud to glow in rich colours.