gamma–crucis: The Tarantula Nebula, also known as NGC 2070, was thought to be a star until
gamma–crucis: The Tarantula Nebula, also known as NGC 2070, was thought to be a star until in 1751 when Nicolas Louis de Lacaille recognized its nebular nature. As an extremely luminous non-stellar object, it is so bright that if it were as close as the Orion Nebula, it would cast shadows on Earth. Image Credit: NASA, ESO, ESA -- source link