[SERENE MUSIC] The Pillars of Creation lie 6,500 light-years away. This area is brimming with gas and dust, essential ingredients for star formation. A new near-infrared image from the Webb Space Telescope shows the scene in high definition. 

Glowing bright red wavy lines appear at the edges of some pillars, revealing where stars are ejecting material as they form. The bright red orbs are newly formed stars that have burst into view. Distant galaxies typically make appearances in Webb's images, but not this one. 

A translucent layer of gas and dust is drawn like a curtain, allowing the stars to take center stage. Webb's near infrared image of the Pillars of Creation will help researchers update their models of star formation. Over time, we'll learn how stars form and burst out of these dusty clouds over millions of years.