Dark Wolf Nebula revealed in striking Halloween image from European Southern Observatory

The European Southern Observatory has released a striking image of the Dark Wolf Nebula, resembling a cosmic werewolf, to celebrate Halloween 2024. This nebula is located about 5,300 light-years from Earth in the Milky Way. The Dark Wolf Nebula is part of the larger Gum 55 nebula and features dark patches filled with cold gas and dust. These areas obscure light from background stars and emit no visible light, making them unique among nebulas. The image highlights the nebula against a blood-red background, created by hydrogen gas and dust that are forming new stars. The Very Large Telescope used special imaging techniques to capture this celestial phenomenon.