Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Sometimes the unexpected comes in a familiar shape. In this picture , the seemingly familiar teardrop-shaped object just right of center is actually an unusually situated disk of gas and dust . In fact, the teardrop is about the size of our own Solar System and is racing against time to condense and form planets. This disk, however, is unfortunate enough to lie in the Trapezium , which is also home to several immense, bright stars .
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