Figure 8-2 The Orion Nebula—Birthplace of Stars This beautiful nebula is a stellar “nursery” where stars are formed out of the nebula’s gas. (a) Intense ultraviolet light from newborn stars excites the surrounding gas and causes it to glow in visible light. (b) Showing the same nebula, infrared light from the young stars embedded in this nebula can be seen passing effortlessly through the clouds. Orion Nebula is some 1500 ly from Earth and is about 30 ly across.