In the southern constellation Puppis, about 1,300 light-years away, lies the striking cometary globule CG4, often nicknamed God’s Hand. This peculiar formation of dust and gas appears to reach across space as if grasping toward the small edge-on galaxy seen near its fingertips. The globule’s glowing rim is illuminated by nearby hot stars, while its dense interior—rich in molecular gas—remains dark, concealing the raw material for potential future star formation.

Captured from Perth, Western Australia, this HaLRGB composition reveals the faint red emission of hydrogen gas surrounding the dusty structure. CG4 is part of the broader Gum Nebula complex, a vast region shaped by ancient supernova explosions. Despite its ominous, reaching form, this cosmic hand is a cradle of creation, slowly sculpted by stellar winds and radiation over millions of years.