Taurus molecular cloud

Herschel’s infrared view of part of the Taurus Molecular Cloud, within which the bright, cold pre-stellar cloud L1544 can be seen at the lower left. It is surrounded by many other clouds of gas and dust of varying density.

The Taurus Molecular Cloud is about 450 light-years from Earth and is the nearest large region of star formation.

The image covers a field of view of approximately 1 x 2 degrees.