NGC 3324 Gabriela Mistral Nebula and the Pearl Cluster

The Gabriela Mistral Nebula is part of the Eta Carinae Nebula complex in the constellation Vela, one of the brightest nebula complexes in the southern sky. It is named after the Chilean poet, as it resembles her profile. Located 7,500 light-years from Earth, it is an active star-forming region. It is primarily an emission nebula in hydrogen and oxygen lines. Its bright pattern is shaped by radiation and stellar winds from hot young stars, which have carved a cavity in the gas and dust, causing the nebula to glow and resemble a human face profile.

The Pearl cluster is an open cluster, NGC 3293, in the constellation Carina. It is young and very rich in bright blue stars. It lies about 8,000–8,400 light-years away and stands out beautifully against the gas and dust regions of the Carina complex, which is why it is often considered one of the most striking southern open clusters.