The dwarf  galaxy NGC 4214 is ablaze with young stars and gas clouds. Located  around 10 million light-years away in the constellation of Canes  Venatici (The Hunting Dogs), the galaxy's close proximity, combined with  the wide variety of evolutionary stages among the stars, make it an  ideal laboratory to research the triggers of star formation and  evolution.

Intricate  patterns of glowing hydrogen formed during the star-birthing process,  cavities blown clear of gas by stellar winds, and bright stellar  clusters of NGC 4214 can be seen in this optical and near-infrared  image.

Observations of  this dwarf galaxy have also revealed clusters of much older red  supergiant stars. Additional older stars can be seen dotted all across  the galaxy. The variety of stars at different stages in their evolution  indicates that the recent and ongoing starburst periods are not the  first, and the galaxy's abundant supply of hydrogen means that star  formation will continue into the future.

See the website for more details:http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/galaxy/dwarf/2011/14/image/a/ （SY）