The Running Chicken Nebula (IC 2944), a bright emission nebula in the constellation Centaurus, is home to a rich region of hydrogen gas, glowing intensely under the influence of nearby hot, young stars. This striking image, captured over 26 hours using narrowband filters, highlights intricate filaments and regions of ionized gas, with particular emphasis on H-alpha and Oxygen III emissions.

A lesser-known feature within this nebula is the presence of Thackeray's Globules, small, dense clouds of interstellar gas and dust seen silhouetted against the bright backdrop of the nebula. These globules are potential sites of future star formation but face rapid dissipation under the intense radiation from nearby massive stars. The blend of data captured from La Serena and the darker skies near La Silla and Las Campanas observatories enhances the contrast between the bright ionized gas and the dark molecular clouds, revealing remarkable detail in this cosmic nursery.