Hodge 301
Hodge 301 is a binary cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud . Like the super star cluster R136, it emerged from gases in the tarantula nebula (30 Doradus, NGC 2070). The picture shows a section from the tarantula nebula, which is located in our neighboring galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, and in the northern part of which Hodge 301 can be found (picture section, bottom right). This nebula is considered to be one of the most active regions for star formation.
The star cluster Hodge 301 is not as well known as R136, a young star cluster that forms the brightest area in the Tarantula Nebula. Hodge 301 is around ten times older (around 25 million years) than R136, as several stars in this star cluster have already ended as supernovae and the remains of their gases race through the tarantula nebula as shock waves.
These shock waves, which lead to the expansion of the gas, create greenish, pinkish-red filaments that permeate the tarantula mist. There are three red super stars that stand before their end within the development as a star.