Dark Cloud in Constellation Aquila (IMAGE) European Space Agency Caption An unseen stellar nursery comes into view in this Herschel image. Some 700 newly-forming stars are estimated to be crowded into these colorful filaments of dust. The complex is part of a mysterious ring of stars called Gould's Belt. This image shows a dark cloud 1000 light-years away in the constellation Aquila, the Eagle. It covers an area 65 light-years across and is so shrouded in dust that no previous infrared satellite has been able to see into it. Now, thanks to Herschel's superior sensitivity at the longest wavelengths of infrared, astronomers have their first picture of the interior of this cloud. It was taken on October 24, 2009, using two of Herschel's instruments: the Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer and the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver. The two bright regions are areas where large newborn stars are causing hydrogen gas to shine. Credit ESA and the SPIRE & PACS consortia, P. André (CEA Saclay) for the Gould’s Belt Key Programme Consortia. Usage Restrictions Use image only with full credit provided. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.