Blakesley Burkhart, a Rutgers University astrophysicist and professor, has discovered a potentially star-forming cloud that is among the closest to Earth ever detected.

The cloud is 300 light years away, fluorescent and can only be detected using ultraviolet technology.

“What we've discovered is a new star-forming cloud, a molecular cloud, that is actually the closest to Earth. It helps us better understand the process for star formation and planet formation,” says Burkhardt.

The stars that could be formed from this cloud won't be visible in our skies for thousands to millions of years. For now, researchers will be able to measure the size of the cloud and track its star-making progress.