HII regions are created when radiation from hot, young stars strips away electrons from neutral hydrogen atoms in the surrounding gas to form ionized hydrogen clouds.
Scientists use telescopes like Chandra to study HII regions as young stars emit bright X-rays and X-rays can penetrate gas and dust shrouds around infant stars.
The composite image of the region includes X-ray data from Chandra and ROSAT telescope (purple), infrared data from Spitzer Space Telescope (orange), and optical data from SuperCosmos Sky Survey (blue).
The image shows purple and blue drops of paint layered between streaks of orange and blue, indicating stars scattered all over, with bubbles created by radiation and material blown away from massive stars.