This model is another representation of a star-forming region, where new stars have recently formed in clouds of gas and dust. In this phase of evolution, stars are heavily absorbed by the dense and cloudy surrounding medium and cannot be easily observed in optical light (the visible part of the spectrum). Conversely, these stars can be observed in the infrared band because the resulting infrared emission is able to pass through the dense clouds. The gas from the nebula appears to be emitting due to starlight scattered by the dust and gas in the area.