Each of the arrow-marked blobs is a likely planet-in-the-making around the infant star FU Orionis (great name), located 1,350 light years away in the constellation Orion.
The idea that planets were born from giant clouds in space is called the "nebular hypothesis."
It originated with Swedish philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg, way back in 1734. But only now can astronomers directly observe that, yes, planets really do form in clouds around newborn stars. Science takes time.
@coreyspowell Fascinating! Swedenborg is arguably nowadays more popularly familiar for his mystical and spiritualist theories, as memorably featured e.g. in von Trier’s satirical horror hospital show Kingdom.
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