Reprocessed in 2022

Published in Australian Sky & Telescope, April 2010

NGC 3576 is a giant star forming region of gas glowing strongly in Ha and is located about 9,000 light years away in Carina. Its characteristic loops are formed by stellar winds.
The image comprises a number of NGC objects - NGCs 3579, 3581, 3582, 3584 and 3586. 3576 encompasses the whole centre bright region. See: https://pbase.com/gailmarc/image/173097857
There are also a number of prominent Bok Globules, dark dense stellar nurseries.