Unprecedented 1.5-Billion-Pixel Image Reveals Stunning Running Chicken Nebula

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has captured a stunning 1.5-billion-pixel image of the Running Chicken Nebula using the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) in Chile. Located in the constellation Centaurus, this vast stellar nursery is home to young stars that emit intense radiation, causing the surrounding hydrogen gas to glow in shades of pink. The image reveals several regions within the nebula, including IC 2948 and IC 2944, as well as Gum 39, 40, and 41. The mosaic image, comprising hundreds of frames, was taken as part of the VST Photometric Hα Survey of the Southern Galactic Plane and Bulge (VPHAS+), aimed at better understanding the life cycle of stars.