The cluster upper left of center in this image is called IC 2944, and the nebulosity surrounding it is known as IC 2948. Bright, O-type stars in IC 2944 power the nebula, and around the cluster's bright stars sit a number of Bok globules being worn away by the ultraviolet light of the stars. These globules in particular are known as Thackeray's Globules, after their discoverer. The objects pictured here are found deep in south Centaurus and are not visible from Houston.
The data for this image comes from New South Wales and is 27 hours of narrowband, including 10 hours of H-alpha, through the 12.5" RCOS telescope.
Here is the H-alpha data from the set.
