In the early 1960s, Alexander Rodgers, Colin Campbell, and John Whiteoak compiled a catalog of emission nebulae in the southern Milky Way. A particularly impressive entry, RCW 36, resides 2,300 light-years away in the constellation Vela the Sails. RCW 36 boasts an open cluster of massive young stars at its heart, surrounded by glowing clouds Continue reading "RCW 36: A bird of prey sails away" The post RCW 36: A bird of prey sails away appeared first on Astronomy Magazine .