N44 is a large, bright region of ionized gas located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.
It is often referred to as a “superbubble” because it is formed by the combined effects of stellar winds and supernova explosions from massive stars.
These processes create a large cavity in the surrounding interstellar medium, leading to the characteristic bubble shape.
The N44 superbubble is notable for its complex structure and the presence of young, hot stars, as well as regions of active star formation.
Credits: NASA, ESA, V. Ksoll and D. Gouliermis (Universität Heidelberg), et al.; Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
