APOD 3.5- Stars Versus Mountains

6,400 light years away, in the head of the constellation of the Hunter, Orion, NGC 2174 appears to be mountains of dust speckled with stars. These mounds of dust are actually dark stellar nurseries being dispersed by the formation of large nearby stars. The nurseries are made of small amounts of opaque interstellar dust. Sulfur and red hydrogen emissions are apparent and give the dust clouds their glowing color. As more stars are formed in the nurseries, more of the clouds dissipate and eventually it will completely disperse.