Halloween-like cosmic cauldron is spotted by astronomers

Published: 20:27 EDT, 27 October 2026 | Updated: 20:30 EDT, 27 October 2026 Space scientists have spotted new stars brewing in a Halloween-like cosmic cauldron. Astronomers using the NASA/ESA James Webb Space Telescope have found a turbulent star-forming region named N159, which is located 161,000 light-years away and emitting orange hues.Choosing the observation as their Picture of the Month, they commented: 'Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble. 'We visit a turbulent cauldron of star formation to see what is brewing inside dense clumps of gas.' The image of N159 spans about 230 light-years across in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), one of the satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way. N159 is what astronomers call a H II region: an area of space filled with ionised hydrogen gas. NASA said: 'The colours of this image are interesting because they represent its chemistry. 'The light orange signifies light emitted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, an important carbon-based molecule. Acientists have spotted new stars brewing in a Halloween-like cosmic cauldron named N159'The pale blue gas clouds are H II gas, ionized by the intense ultraviolet light from massive stars. 'Dark red filaments across the center of the image are made of cool molecular hydrogen. 'These filaments are the densest part of the nebula and currently shield new stars from harsh radiation and stellar winds.'Social media users were left in awe of the image.One wrote: '161,000 light-years away and still looking this alive. These images never get old, thanks for sharing.'Another wrote: 'The universe really is an artist.' And a third added: 'That light left 161,000 years ago. This cauldron was brewing long before anyone on Earth invented the pot.'