Located in the southern constellation Carina, IC 2599 is the glowing
nebula in this image, containing the open star cluster NGC 3324. Together
they are often called the "Gabriela Mistral Nebula," since to many people
the glowing blue nebula looks the the profile of the Chilean poet of that
name (1889-1957).

Energetic stars are eroding and sculpting the clouds within which
they formed. The striking blue center of this area is rich in oxygen,
a product of stars which have already come to the end of their lives and
have recycled back into the universe the oxygen they created through nuclear fusion.

Image data:
Camera: SBIG STL-11002
Telescope: Planewave 17" CDK
Exposure: 26 hours (LRGB, H-alpha, O-III, S-II)
Location: New South Wales, Australia