Bursting with Starbirth

Hyperactive stellar nurseries glow bright red in this recent Hubble Space Telescope view of the spiral galaxy M83. The nurseries are giving birth to hundreds of new stars. Some of the nurseries have already given birth to many hot, bright, blue stars, such as those in the clump at upper left. The galaxy's core is the bright knot at right, with spiral arms extending from both sides. The spiral arms contain vast clouds of dark gas and dust that collapse and fragment to give birth to new stars. [R. O'Connell (Univ. Virginia)/WFC3 Science Oversight Committee]