<p>The newborn star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1605/">HD 97300</a>&nbsp;lights up surrounding clouds of dust&nbsp;in this picture from the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eso.org/public/">European Southern Observatory</a>. The star is among the most massive and&nbsp;brightest in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/potw1405a/">Chamaeleon Complex</a>, a nebula some 500 light-years away.</p>

A Star is Born

The newborn star HD 97300 lights up surrounding clouds of dust in this picture from the European Southern Observatory. The star is among the most massive and brightest in the Chamaeleon Complex, a nebula some 500 light-years away.

Photograph by European Southern Observatory

Week's Best Space Pictures: Dying Star Shoots Gleaming Jets

A newborn star brightens up its dusty neighborhood, and a galaxy cluster bends passing light like a lens.

Feed your need for heavenly views of the universe with our picks of the week's most awe-inspiring space pictures. 

 This week, matter warps space and time to form useful lenses, a dying star's gaseous shroud glitters, and satellites show off Mars' sandblasted bluffs.

Read This Next

Extreme 'ghostly' particles detected in our galaxy
NASA just found a question mark in space. What exactly is it?
It looked like a bizarre alignment of meteors. It was something else.

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet