ESA NASA Hubble Image: Cosmic Caterpillar

This light-year-long knot of interstellar gas and dust resembles a caterpillar on its way to a feast. 

But the meat of the story is not only what this cosmic caterpillar eats for lunch, but also what's eating it. 

Harsh winds from extremely bright stars are blasting ultraviolet radiation at this 'wanna-be' star and sculpting the gas and dust into its long shape.

Credit: ESA NASA Hubble