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Star Deneb and Nebulae in the Swan - Deneb and the nebular complex of Sh2 - 112 and Sh2 - 115 in Cygnus North is at top. Deneb is the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus and one of the brightest stars in the night sky, with apparent magnitude 1.25. Deneb's absolute magnitude is - 8.73, placing it among the most luminous stars known. Deneb's exact distance from the Earth is a matter of some dispute; figures from 1600 to 3200 light years appear on various online sources. Estimates for Deneb's luminosity range from about 60,000 to 250,000 times the Sun's brightness. At the distance of Sirius it would be brighter than a full moon. In the image is also visible the nebular complexes called Sh2 - 115 (above) and Sh2 - 112 (below), and Abell 71 visible as a tiny bubble in upper right corner. This image is based on data acquired by the Oschin Telescope at the Mount Palomar Observatory

Star Deneb and Nebulae in the Swan - Deneb and the nebular complex of Sh2 - 112 and Sh2 - 115 in Cygnus North is at top. Deneb is the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus and one of the brightest stars in the night sky, with apparent magnitude 1.25. Deneb's absolute magnitude is - 8.73, placing it among the most luminous stars known. Deneb's exact distance from the Earth is a matter of some dispute; figures from 1600 to 3200 light years appear on various online sources. Estimates for Deneb's luminosity range from about 60,000 to 250,000 times the Sun's brightness. At the distance of Sirius it would be brighter than a full moon. In the image is also visible the nebular complexes called Sh2 - 115 (above) and Sh2 - 112 (below), and Abell 71 visible as a tiny bubble in upper right corner. This image is based on data acquired by the Oschin Telescope at the Mount Palomar Observatory

D. De Martin

PIX4621018

Spiral galaxy NGC 6814 in the Eagle - Spiral Galaxy NGC 6814: NGC 6814 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Eagle. It is an active galaxy called Seyfert, which probably houses a black hole in its heart. Image obtained with the Hubble telescope - Spiral galaxy NGC 6814 seen by Hubble Space Telescope. NGC 6814 has an extremely bright nucleus, a telltale sign that the galaxy is a Seyfert galaxy. These galaxies have very active centres that can emit strong bursts of radiation. The luminous heart of NGC 6814 is a highly variable source of X-ray radiation, causing scientists to suspect that it hosts a supermassive black hole with a mass about 18 million times that of the Sun. As NGC 6814 is a very active galaxy, many regions of ionised gas are studded along its spiral arms. In these large clouds of gas, a burst of star formation has recently taken place, forging the brilliant blue stars that are visible scattered throughout the galaxy

Spiral galaxy NGC 6814 in the Eagle - Spiral Galaxy NGC 6814: NGC 6814 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Eagle. It is an active galaxy called Seyfert, which probably houses a black hole in its heart. Image obtained with the Hubble telescope - Spiral galaxy NGC 6814 seen by Hubble Space Telescope. NGC 6814 has an extremely bright nucleus, a telltale sign that the galaxy is a Seyfert galaxy. These galaxies have very active centres that can emit strong bursts of radiation. The luminous heart of NGC 6814 is a highly variable source of X-ray radiation, causing scientists to suspect that it hosts a supermassive black hole with a mass about 18 million times that of the Sun. As NGC 6814 is a very active galaxy, many regions of ionised gas are studded along its spiral arms. In these large clouds of gas, a burst of star formation has recently taken place, forging the brilliant blue stars that are visible scattered throughout the galaxy

PIX4613024

Ewer with Phoenix Head, c.10th century (Qingbai ware, stoneware, translucent glaze)

Ewer with Phoenix Head, c.10th century (Qingbai ware, stoneware, translucent glaze)

Chinese School (10th century)

TBM6266343

Interacting galaxies NGC 3256 - Interacting galaxies NGC 3256 - The special galaxy NGC 3256 is located about 100 million light years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Sails. A vestige of the collision of two galaxies, this system presents a double nucleus and many young clusters of stars. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on November 5, 2001. NGC 3256 is an impressive example of a peculiar galaxy that is actually the relict of a collision of two separate galaxies that took place in a distant past. The telltale signs of the collision are two extended luminous tails swirling out from the galaxy. NGC 3256 belongs to the Hydra - Centaurus supercluster complex and provides a nearby template for studying the properties of young star clusters in tidal tails. The system hides a double nucleus and a tangle of dust lanes in the central region. The tails are studded with a particularly high density of star clusters. Image taken by the Hubble space telescope on November 5

Interacting galaxies NGC 3256 - Interacting galaxies NGC 3256 - The special galaxy NGC 3256 is located about 100 million light years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Sails. A vestige of the collision of two galaxies, this system presents a double nucleus and many young clusters of stars. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on November 5, 2001. NGC 3256 is an impressive example of a peculiar galaxy that is actually the relict of a collision of two separate galaxies that took place in a distant past. The telltale signs of the collision are two extended luminous tails swirling out from the galaxy. NGC 3256 belongs to the Hydra - Centaurus supercluster complex and provides a nearby template for studying the properties of young star clusters in tidal tails. The system hides a double nucleus and a tangle of dust lanes in the central region. The tails are studded with a particularly high density of star clusters. Image taken by the Hubble space telescope on November 5

PIX4610539

Interacting Galaxies Arp 256 in the Whale - Interacting galaxies Arp 256 in Cetus - The galaxy Arp 256, also called VV 352, is about 350 million years away from Earth. It's a pair of spiral galaxies interacting. Regions of intense star formations appear in blue. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on 22 May 2002. Arp 256 is a stunning system of two spiral galaxies in an early stage of merging. The Hubble image displays two galaxies with strongly disrupted shapes and an astonishing number of blue knots of star formation that look like exploding fireworks. The galaxy to the left has two extended ribbon - like tails of gas, dust and stars. The system is a luminous infrared system radiating more than a hundred billion times the luminosity of our Sun. Arp 256 is located in the constellation of Cetus, the Whale, about 350 million light - years away. It is the 256th galaxy in ARP's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies

Interacting Galaxies Arp 256 in the Whale - Interacting galaxies Arp 256 in Cetus - The galaxy Arp 256, also called VV 352, is about 350 million years away from Earth. It's a pair of spiral galaxies interacting. Regions of intense star formations appear in blue. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on 22 May 2002. Arp 256 is a stunning system of two spiral galaxies in an early stage of merging. The Hubble image displays two galaxies with strongly disrupted shapes and an astonishing number of blue knots of star formation that look like exploding fireworks. The galaxy to the left has two extended ribbon - like tails of gas, dust and stars. The system is a luminous infrared system radiating more than a hundred billion times the luminosity of our Sun. Arp 256 is located in the constellation of Cetus, the Whale, about 350 million light - years away. It is the 256th galaxy in ARP's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies

PIX4613619

Orion Nebula - the trapeze - The Trapezium region in M42 - Located 1500 years - light, Orion Nebula is the closest region of formation of stars of the Sun. In the center of the picture, the Trapeze of Orion. The Trapeze is among the youngest known open clusters, it is made up of 4 massive stars that make the nebula shine. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. 30-sec poses. The central 'star' of the three groups forming the asterism of Orion's sword is in reality a nebula, and is clearly nebulous to the unaided eye. At the heart of the most luminous nebulosity shimmer a handful of stars known as the Trapezium cluster, visible in binoculars. These are the brightest members of a substantial cluster of stars, most of which are still hidden in the dusty recesses of the Orion nebula against which they are seen. The stars of the Trapezium provide much of the energy which makes the brilliant Orion Nebula visible and are at a distance of about 1500 light years. This image was made

Orion Nebula - the trapeze - The Trapezium region in M42 - Located 1500 years - light, Orion Nebula is the closest region of formation of stars of the Sun. In the center of the picture, the Trapeze of Orion. The Trapeze is among the youngest known open clusters, it is made up of 4 massive stars that make the nebula shine. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. 30-sec poses. The central 'star' of the three groups forming the asterism of Orion's sword is in reality a nebula, and is clearly nebulous to the unaided eye. At the heart of the most luminous nebulosity shimmer a handful of stars known as the Trapezium cluster, visible in binoculars. These are the brightest members of a substantial cluster of stars, most of which are still hidden in the dusty recesses of the Orion nebula against which they are seen. The stars of the Trapezium provide much of the energy which makes the brilliant Orion Nebula visible and are at a distance of about 1500 light years. This image was made

PIX4617827

'Immortalite' Gibraltar, 4 April 1861, 19th century (graphite)

'Immortalite' Gibraltar, 4 April 1861, 19th century (graphite)

Cooke, Edward William (1811-80)

MMM7341738

Orion Nebula - the trapeze - The Trapezium region in M42 - Located 1500 years - light, Orion Nebula is the closest region of formation of stars of the Sun. In the center of the picture, the Trapeze of Orion. The Trapeze is among the youngest known open clusters, it is made up of 4 massive stars that make the nebula shine. Image obtained from the 1.5m Danish telescope of La Silla in Chile. The central 'star' of the three groups forming the asterism of Orion's sword is in reality a nebula, and is clearly nebulous to the unaided eye. At the heart of the most luminous nebulosity shimmer a handful of stars known as the Trapezium cluster, visible in binoculars. These are the brightest members of a substantial cluster of stars, most of which are still hidden in the dusty recesses of the Orion nebula against which they are seen. The stars of the Trapezium provide much of the energy which makes the brilliant Orion Nebula visible and are at a distance of about 1500 light years. This image was ma

Orion Nebula - the trapeze - The Trapezium region in M42 - Located 1500 years - light, Orion Nebula is the closest region of formation of stars of the Sun. In the center of the picture, the Trapeze of Orion. The Trapeze is among the youngest known open clusters, it is made up of 4 massive stars that make the nebula shine. Image obtained from the 1.5m Danish telescope of La Silla in Chile. The central 'star' of the three groups forming the asterism of Orion's sword is in reality a nebula, and is clearly nebulous to the unaided eye. At the heart of the most luminous nebulosity shimmer a handful of stars known as the Trapezium cluster, visible in binoculars. These are the brightest members of a substantial cluster of stars, most of which are still hidden in the dusty recesses of the Orion nebula against which they are seen. The stars of the Trapezium provide much of the energy which makes the brilliant Orion Nebula visible and are at a distance of about 1500 light years. This image was ma

PIX4617817

Panorama of the Milky Way - Panorama of the Milky Way - Photographic mosaic reconstructing the entire lactee path. The shots taken between summer 2008 and summer 2009 were taken from two perfect astronomical sites, the Atacama desert for the southern hemisphere, the Caldera de Taburiente in the Canary Islands for the boreal hemisphere. This magnificent 360-degree panoramic image, covering the entire southern and northern celestial sphere, reveals the cosmic landscape that surrounds our tiny blue planet. The plane of our Milky Way Galaxy, which we see edge-on from our perspective on Earth, cuts a luminous swath across the image. From this vantage point, the general components of our spiral galaxy come clearly into view, including its disc, marbled with both dark and glowing nebulae, which harbours bright, young stars, as well as the Galaxy's central bulge and its satellite galaxies. As filming extended over several months, objects from the Solar System came and went through the star fie

Panorama of the Milky Way - Panorama of the Milky Way - Photographic mosaic reconstructing the entire lactee path. The shots taken between summer 2008 and summer 2009 were taken from two perfect astronomical sites, the Atacama desert for the southern hemisphere, the Caldera de Taburiente in the Canary Islands for the boreal hemisphere. This magnificent 360-degree panoramic image, covering the entire southern and northern celestial sphere, reveals the cosmic landscape that surrounds our tiny blue planet. The plane of our Milky Way Galaxy, which we see edge-on from our perspective on Earth, cuts a luminous swath across the image. From this vantage point, the general components of our spiral galaxy come clearly into view, including its disc, marbled with both dark and glowing nebulae, which harbours bright, young stars, as well as the Galaxy's central bulge and its satellite galaxies. As filming extended over several months, objects from the Solar System came and went through the star fie

Serge Brunier

PIX4637908

La Grande Lunette de 1900, Exposition Universelle, Palais de L'optique, 1900 (colour litho)

La Grande Lunette de 1900, Exposition Universelle, Palais de L'optique, 1900 (colour litho)

Leroux, Georges Paul (1877-1957)

MNS5054602

Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpio - Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpius - Nebula with low light emission, IC 4628 (or Gum 56) is alongside the open cluster Collinder 316, which houses many hot young stars. This beautiful, arc - like rim of nebulosity is in the far southern sky, out of sight from most of the USA and Europe. It is quite faint and has often been overlooked because of it, even by southern observers. However, it is in a rich region in Scorpius. This richness is reflected in the number of names associated with the objects in the field illustrated here. There is a large scattered star cluster, Collinder 316 which extends over most of the picture. It encloses Trumpler 24, more or less the same cluster under another name, and all of this is part of the Sco OB1 association, a much larger gathering of very hot, intrinsically luminous stars in this part of the sky. The nebula itself is also known as Gum 56, after the Australian Colin Gum who catalogued emission nebulae in the southern sky using wi

Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpio - Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpius - Nebula with low light emission, IC 4628 (or Gum 56) is alongside the open cluster Collinder 316, which houses many hot young stars. This beautiful, arc - like rim of nebulosity is in the far southern sky, out of sight from most of the USA and Europe. It is quite faint and has often been overlooked because of it, even by southern observers. However, it is in a rich region in Scorpius. This richness is reflected in the number of names associated with the objects in the field illustrated here. There is a large scattered star cluster, Collinder 316 which extends over most of the picture. It encloses Trumpler 24, more or less the same cluster under another name, and all of this is part of the Sco OB1 association, a much larger gathering of very hot, intrinsically luminous stars in this part of the sky. The nebula itself is also known as Gum 56, after the Australian Colin Gum who catalogued emission nebulae in the southern sky using wi

PIX4622627

Star Antares in the Scorpion - The nebula around Antares - Supergeant star Antares seen at the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring. To his right is the globular cluster NGC 6144. Antares is a giant among stars, and like giants in general, very rare. Antares has spent most of its short life as a highly luminous blue supergiant star, its mass obliging it to consume its vast store of nuclear fuel (hydrogen) very rapidly. This nuclear fusion process supplied the energy that prevented the star collapsing in on itself - - all stars support themselves against gravity in this way. Now, the supply of fuel in the core of the star is close to exhaustion and the star has undergone a major internal re - arrangement to cope with the changed circumstances, both cooling and swelling in the process. This star is big; the earth would be inside it if it were to replace the sun. At its cool, distended surface, tiny solid particles begin to appear, made of the heavier trace elements formed with in the star. Th

Star Antares in the Scorpion - The nebula around Antares - Supergeant star Antares seen at the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring. To his right is the globular cluster NGC 6144. Antares is a giant among stars, and like giants in general, very rare. Antares has spent most of its short life as a highly luminous blue supergiant star, its mass obliging it to consume its vast store of nuclear fuel (hydrogen) very rapidly. This nuclear fusion process supplied the energy that prevented the star collapsing in on itself - - all stars support themselves against gravity in this way. Now, the supply of fuel in the core of the star is close to exhaustion and the star has undergone a major internal re - arrangement to cope with the changed circumstances, both cooling and swelling in the process. This star is big; the earth would be inside it if it were to replace the sun. At its cool, distended surface, tiny solid particles begin to appear, made of the heavier trace elements formed with in the star. Th

PIX4571707

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - The Carina nebula, NGC 3372 - The Carene nebula is located about 7000 years from the Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the star Eta Carinae in the centre of the nebula. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The brightest part of the Milky Way, as seen by the unaided eye, lies in the southern constellation Carina. Here there are an unusually large number of young, hot stars. Their radiation is rich in energetic ultraviolet light. Many of these stars were born within the spectacular Carinae nebula, seen here. The nebula is a cloud of glowing gas composed mostly of hydrogen. It excited by ultrviolet light from the embedded stars. This dostictive emission radiation is responsible for the red colour. About a quarter of the nebula is made of helium gas, the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen, and all the other chemical elements account for only a few percent of the total mass. The brightest star in the nebula i

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - The Carina nebula, NGC 3372 - The Carene nebula is located about 7000 years from the Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the star Eta Carinae in the centre of the nebula. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The brightest part of the Milky Way, as seen by the unaided eye, lies in the southern constellation Carina. Here there are an unusually large number of young, hot stars. Their radiation is rich in energetic ultraviolet light. Many of these stars were born within the spectacular Carinae nebula, seen here. The nebula is a cloud of glowing gas composed mostly of hydrogen. It excited by ultrviolet light from the embedded stars. This dostictive emission radiation is responsible for the red colour. About a quarter of the nebula is made of helium gas, the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen, and all the other chemical elements account for only a few percent of the total mass. The brightest star in the nebula i

PIX4618887

Open cluster NGC 4755 - Jewel Box - The Jewel Box cluster, NGC 4755 - NGC 4755 is located in the constellation of the Southern Cross at a distance of 7800 years - light from Earth. The bright orange star is Kappa Crucis, a supergiant red star. This famous group of young bright stars is an open cluster some 7800 light years from the Sun. It was named the Jewel Box from its description by Sir John Herschel as 'a casket of variously coloured precious stones', which refers to its appearance in the telescope. The bright orange star is kappa Crucis, and it contrasts strongly against its predominantly blue, hot companions. Kappa Cru is a very large, (hence very luminous) quite young star in its red supergiant stage, which paradoxically indicates that its life is drawing to a close. The cluster is looks like a star to the unaided eye and appears close to the eastern - most star of the Southern Cross, so is only visible from southern latitude

Open cluster NGC 4755 - Jewel Box - The Jewel Box cluster, NGC 4755 - NGC 4755 is located in the constellation of the Southern Cross at a distance of 7800 years - light from Earth. The bright orange star is Kappa Crucis, a supergiant red star. This famous group of young bright stars is an open cluster some 7800 light years from the Sun. It was named the Jewel Box from its description by Sir John Herschel as 'a casket of variously coloured precious stones', which refers to its appearance in the telescope. The bright orange star is kappa Crucis, and it contrasts strongly against its predominantly blue, hot companions. Kappa Cru is a very large, (hence very luminous) quite young star in its red supergiant stage, which paradoxically indicates that its life is drawing to a close. The cluster is looks like a star to the unaided eye and appears close to the eastern - most star of the Southern Cross, so is only visible from southern latitude

PIX4568295

Remains of the supernova of the Sails - Detail - Vela supernova remnant. Detail - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. The line that crosses the image is the trace left by the passage of a satellite during the photo shoot. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. A supernova event marks the catastrophic end - point in the life of a massive star. The self - destruction of the star releases a huge amount of energy as radiation of all kinds, but a substantial fraction of the force of the explosion blasts the outer part of the supernova into an expanding shell of matter that travels through the almost empty space between the stars. As the rapidly moving blast wave encounters the relatively stationary interstellar medium it creates a very narrow, luminous shock front that appears as a faint nebula. Because the shock front is very convoluted the nebulosity appears to be highly structured and the various colours define different

Remains of the supernova of the Sails - Detail - Vela supernova remnant. Detail - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. The line that crosses the image is the trace left by the passage of a satellite during the photo shoot. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. A supernova event marks the catastrophic end - point in the life of a massive star. The self - destruction of the star releases a huge amount of energy as radiation of all kinds, but a substantial fraction of the force of the explosion blasts the outer part of the supernova into an expanding shell of matter that travels through the almost empty space between the stars. As the rapidly moving blast wave encounters the relatively stationary interstellar medium it creates a very narrow, luminous shock front that appears as a faint nebula. Because the shock front is very convoluted the nebulosity appears to be highly structured and the various colours define different

PIX4582923

Galaxy NGC 660 in Pisces - Polar ring galaxy NGC 660 in Pisces - The galaxy NGC 660 is located about 20 million light years ago in the constellation Pisces. It is a polar ring galaxy, a fairly rare type of galaxy that features a ring of gas and dust almost perpendicular to the main galactic plane. Image made with a telescope 61 cm in diameter. NGC 660 is described as being a “” polar ring””” galaxy. Another remarkable picture of this rare type of galaxy was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope - the example in this case is NGC4650A. These galaxies are believed to have formed from the collision of two galaxies in the past. In the case of NGC 660 it would appear that our perspective is inclined from the axis of the disk so that the foreground portion of the ring does not cross the plane in the middle - but instead towards one side. The central region of this galaxy is considered a “” starburst”” due to the extreme amount of luminous star formation.This galaxy is estimated to be 24 million

Galaxy NGC 660 in Pisces - Polar ring galaxy NGC 660 in Pisces - The galaxy NGC 660 is located about 20 million light years ago in the constellation Pisces. It is a polar ring galaxy, a fairly rare type of galaxy that features a ring of gas and dust almost perpendicular to the main galactic plane. Image made with a telescope 61 cm in diameter. NGC 660 is described as being a “” polar ring””” galaxy. Another remarkable picture of this rare type of galaxy was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope - the example in this case is NGC4650A. These galaxies are believed to have formed from the collision of two galaxies in the past. In the case of NGC 660 it would appear that our perspective is inclined from the axis of the disk so that the foreground portion of the ring does not cross the plane in the middle - but instead towards one side. The central region of this galaxy is considered a “” starburst”” due to the extreme amount of luminous star formation.This galaxy is estimated to be 24 million

Adam Block

PIX4609435

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - The Eta Carinae Nebula and Trumpler 14 - The Carene nebula is located about 7000 years from the Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the star Eta Carinae (lower left, the brightest star in the picture). Top right is a cluster of young stars, Trumpler 14. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. In the small region pictured here are three of the brightest stars known in our Galaxy, each a million times more luminous than the Sun. To the left of the picture is an even more extreme star, Eta Carinae itself, shrouded in a small bright irregular nebula of its own making. In the upper right of the photograph is Trumpler 14, a cluster of very young stars which appears to be associated with a number of bright - edged 'elephant trunk' dust lanes, typical of star - forming regions. All these objects and most of the bright stars scattered across the face of the nebula are together in space at a distance of about 7000 light years. Despite this dis

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - The Eta Carinae Nebula and Trumpler 14 - The Carene nebula is located about 7000 years from the Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the star Eta Carinae (lower left, the brightest star in the picture). Top right is a cluster of young stars, Trumpler 14. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. In the small region pictured here are three of the brightest stars known in our Galaxy, each a million times more luminous than the Sun. To the left of the picture is an even more extreme star, Eta Carinae itself, shrouded in a small bright irregular nebula of its own making. In the upper right of the photograph is Trumpler 14, a cluster of very young stars which appears to be associated with a number of bright - edged 'elephant trunk' dust lanes, typical of star - forming regions. All these objects and most of the bright stars scattered across the face of the nebula are together in space at a distance of about 7000 light years. Despite this dis

PIX4618903

Heart of the nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - Eta Carinae and the Keyhole Nebula - The nebula of the Carene is located about 7000 years - light from the Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the star Eta Carinae visible in the centre left of the image. Eta Carinae is a supermassive star (100 to 150 times the mass of the Sun). Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This wonderfully complex region at the heart of the NGC 3372 nebula was first described in detail by Sir John Herschel in 1838. He saw the bright circular shell visible in the upper part of the picture extending to the south to form a keyhole - shaped nebula. This luminous outline is no longer seen and the southern extension appears only as a dark dust cloud. It seems that the curious, explosively variable star Eta Carinae has enveloped itself in a cocoon of obscuring matter in the years since Herschel's observations and light from the star is no longer able to illuminate the rim of the dust cloud. The nebu

Heart of the nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - Eta Carinae and the Keyhole Nebula - The nebula of the Carene is located about 7000 years - light from the Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the star Eta Carinae visible in the centre left of the image. Eta Carinae is a supermassive star (100 to 150 times the mass of the Sun). Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This wonderfully complex region at the heart of the NGC 3372 nebula was first described in detail by Sir John Herschel in 1838. He saw the bright circular shell visible in the upper part of the picture extending to the south to form a keyhole - shaped nebula. This luminous outline is no longer seen and the southern extension appears only as a dark dust cloud. It seems that the curious, explosively variable star Eta Carinae has enveloped itself in a cocoon of obscuring matter in the years since Herschel's observations and light from the star is no longer able to illuminate the rim of the dust cloud. The nebu

PIX4618913

Markarian Galaxy 273 - Galaxy Markarian 273 - The Markarian galaxy 273 is about 500 million light years away from Earth in the constellation of the Great Bear. The presence of a 130,000-year-long maree tail suggests that Markarian 273 is the fusion of two galaxies. The collision caused a burst of star formations. This galaxy has a double core and is one of the brightest infrared galaxies. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on November 16, 2001. Markarian 273 shows an intricate central region and a striking tail that extends diagonally towards the bottom - right of the image. The tail is about 130 thousand light - years long and is strongly indicative of a merger between two galaxies. Markarian 273 has an intense region of starburst, where 60 solar masses of new stars are born each year. Near - infrared observations reveal a nucleus with two components. Markarian 273 is one of the most luminous galaxies when observed in the infrared, and is located 500 million light - years aw

Markarian Galaxy 273 - Galaxy Markarian 273 - The Markarian galaxy 273 is about 500 million light years away from Earth in the constellation of the Great Bear. The presence of a 130,000-year-long maree tail suggests that Markarian 273 is the fusion of two galaxies. The collision caused a burst of star formations. This galaxy has a double core and is one of the brightest infrared galaxies. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on November 16, 2001. Markarian 273 shows an intricate central region and a striking tail that extends diagonally towards the bottom - right of the image. The tail is about 130 thousand light - years long and is strongly indicative of a merger between two galaxies. Markarian 273 has an intense region of starburst, where 60 solar masses of new stars are born each year. Near - infrared observations reveal a nucleus with two components. Markarian 273 is one of the most luminous galaxies when observed in the infrared, and is located 500 million light - years aw

PIX4613690

Spiral Galaxy NGC 1566 in the Dorado - The Seyfert Galaxy NGC 1566 - NGC 1566 is a spiral galaxy located about 50 million years ago - light. Its core is very bright. It is an active galaxy called Seyfert, which probably houses a black hole in its heart. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1566 is the brightest member of a nearby group of galaxies in Dorado and is at a distance of about 50 million light years. It has beautifully symmetrical, tightly - wound spiral arms, which on deep images appear to almost encircle the galaxy. This striking galaxy is also of interest because it has a very luminous nucleus which has many of the characteristics of a quasar, though it is much less energetic. Galaxies of this type are known as Seyfert galaxies, after Carl Seyfert who first recognised their peculiar nature in 1943. The active region at the centre of NGC 1566 has recently been found to vary on a timescale of less than a month, which indicates that it is extremely compact. Spe

Spiral Galaxy NGC 1566 in the Dorado - The Seyfert Galaxy NGC 1566 - NGC 1566 is a spiral galaxy located about 50 million years ago - light. Its core is very bright. It is an active galaxy called Seyfert, which probably houses a black hole in its heart. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1566 is the brightest member of a nearby group of galaxies in Dorado and is at a distance of about 50 million light years. It has beautifully symmetrical, tightly - wound spiral arms, which on deep images appear to almost encircle the galaxy. This striking galaxy is also of interest because it has a very luminous nucleus which has many of the characteristics of a quasar, though it is much less energetic. Galaxies of this type are known as Seyfert galaxies, after Carl Seyfert who first recognised their peculiar nature in 1943. The active region at the centre of NGC 1566 has recently been found to vary on a timescale of less than a month, which indicates that it is extremely compact. Spe

PIX4609942

Antares star and globular clusters in the Scorpion - The nebula around Antares and globular clusters - Supergeante star Antares seen at the 3.9m telescope from Siding Spring. At the top right is the globular cluster NGC 6144, at the extreme right, cluster M4. Antares is a giant among stars, and like giants in general, very rare. Antares has spent most of its short life as a highly luminous blue supergiant star, its mass obliging it to consume its vast store of nuclear fuel (hydrogen) very rapidly. This nuclear fusion process supplied the energy that prevented the star collapsing in on itself - - all stars support themselves against gravity in this way. Now, the supply of fuel in the core of the star is close to exhaustion and the star has undergone a major internal re - arrangement to cope with the changed circumstances, both cooling and swelling in the process. This star is big; the earth would be inside it if it were to replace the sun. At its cool, distended surface, tiny solid part

Antares star and globular clusters in the Scorpion - The nebula around Antares and globular clusters - Supergeante star Antares seen at the 3.9m telescope from Siding Spring. At the top right is the globular cluster NGC 6144, at the extreme right, cluster M4. Antares is a giant among stars, and like giants in general, very rare. Antares has spent most of its short life as a highly luminous blue supergiant star, its mass obliging it to consume its vast store of nuclear fuel (hydrogen) very rapidly. This nuclear fusion process supplied the energy that prevented the star collapsing in on itself - - all stars support themselves against gravity in this way. Now, the supply of fuel in the core of the star is close to exhaustion and the star has undergone a major internal re - arrangement to cope with the changed circumstances, both cooling and swelling in the process. This star is big; the earth would be inside it if it were to replace the sun. At its cool, distended surface, tiny solid part

PIX4571773

Nebula N70 in the Great Magellan Cloud - The N 70 nebula in Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) - The Henize 70 nebula extends for about 400 years - light, it is located in the Great Magellan Cloud. In the center, a small group of very massive and extremely hot stars, stars of Wolf - Rayet. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. At the centre of this remarkable bubble - like nebula nebula is a small group of extremely hot stars. Some of these stars are rapdly losing mass and have stellar winds blowing from their surfaces with velocities that approach 4000 kilometers per second. Such stars are known as Wolf - Rayet stars and are found in galaxies capable of forming massive stars. There are many such stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) but not all of them are associated with distinctive nebulae. The outward flowing streams of energetic particles from Wolf - Rayet (and other energetic stars) eventually interact with the relatively stationary interstellar medium pervading the LMC

Nebula N70 in the Great Magellan Cloud - The N 70 nebula in Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) - The Henize 70 nebula extends for about 400 years - light, it is located in the Great Magellan Cloud. In the center, a small group of very massive and extremely hot stars, stars of Wolf - Rayet. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. At the centre of this remarkable bubble - like nebula nebula is a small group of extremely hot stars. Some of these stars are rapdly losing mass and have stellar winds blowing from their surfaces with velocities that approach 4000 kilometers per second. Such stars are known as Wolf - Rayet stars and are found in galaxies capable of forming massive stars. There are many such stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) but not all of them are associated with distinctive nebulae. The outward flowing streams of energetic particles from Wolf - Rayet (and other energetic stars) eventually interact with the relatively stationary interstellar medium pervading the LMC

PIX4620872

Composition

Clave, Antoni (1913-2005)

USB1162475

Eagle Nebula (IC 4703) and M16 star cluster in the Snake - The dust lanes in Messier 16 (NGC 6611) - Located in the Snake, this nebula is about 6000 years away from Earth. The M16 star cluster is a cluster of young stars formed about 2 million years ago in the Eagle nebula, IC 4703. These stars are much warmer than the Sun and can be 30 times more massive. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. There are few clearer examples anywhere of the intimate relationship between dust, gas and young stars than M16. We see a young cluster of stars (NGC 6611) which formed about 2 million years ago, illuminating a cloud of hydrogen gas. The gas is also dusty, and in places the dust is dense enough to prevent starlight from reaching the gas and making it glow with its distinctive red hue. The luminous hydrogen provides a vivid background against which are seen numerous dark lanes and discrete globules of dust. Many of the dusty clouds are edged with bright rims which indicate the direction

Eagle Nebula (IC 4703) and M16 star cluster in the Snake - The dust lanes in Messier 16 (NGC 6611) - Located in the Snake, this nebula is about 6000 years away from Earth. The M16 star cluster is a cluster of young stars formed about 2 million years ago in the Eagle nebula, IC 4703. These stars are much warmer than the Sun and can be 30 times more massive. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. There are few clearer examples anywhere of the intimate relationship between dust, gas and young stars than M16. We see a young cluster of stars (NGC 6611) which formed about 2 million years ago, illuminating a cloud of hydrogen gas. The gas is also dusty, and in places the dust is dense enough to prevent starlight from reaching the gas and making it glow with its distinctive red hue. The luminous hydrogen provides a vivid background against which are seen numerous dark lanes and discrete globules of dust. Many of the dusty clouds are edged with bright rims which indicate the direction

PIX4619969

Nebula N70 in the Great Magellan Cloud - The N 70 nebula in Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) - The Henize 70 nebula extends for about 400 years - light, it is located in the Great Magellan Cloud. In the center, a small group of very massive and extremely hot stars, stars of Wolf - Rayet. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. At the centre of this remarkable bubble - like nebula nebula is a small group of extremely hot stars. Some of these stars are rapdly losing mass and have stellar winds blowing from their surfaces with velocities that approach 4000 kilometers per second. Such stars are known as Wolf - Rayet stars and are found in galaxies capable of forming massive stars. There are many such stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) but not all of them are associated with distinctive nebulae. The outward flowing streams of energetic particles from Wolf - Rayet (and other energetic stars) eventually interact with the relatively stationary interstellar medium pervading the LMC

Nebula N70 in the Great Magellan Cloud - The N 70 nebula in Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) - The Henize 70 nebula extends for about 400 years - light, it is located in the Great Magellan Cloud. In the center, a small group of very massive and extremely hot stars, stars of Wolf - Rayet. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. At the centre of this remarkable bubble - like nebula nebula is a small group of extremely hot stars. Some of these stars are rapdly losing mass and have stellar winds blowing from their surfaces with velocities that approach 4000 kilometers per second. Such stars are known as Wolf - Rayet stars and are found in galaxies capable of forming massive stars. There are many such stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) but not all of them are associated with distinctive nebulae. The outward flowing streams of energetic particles from Wolf - Rayet (and other energetic stars) eventually interact with the relatively stationary interstellar medium pervading the LMC

PIX4620865

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in Fornax - NGC 1365 is a barree spiral galaxy that extends over 200,000 years - light. Located 60 million years ago - light, it belongs to the cluster of galaxies of the Furnace. Image obtained in 1999 by the European telescope Antu of the VLT in Chile. NGC 1365 is one of the most prominent “” barred”” galaxies in the sky. It is a supergiant galaxy with a diameter of about 200,000 light - years, seen in the direction of the southern constellation Fornax. It is a major member of the Fornax Cluster of Galaxies. The distance is about 60 million light - years. A massive straight bar runs through this galaxy and contains the nucleus at the centre. It consists mostly of older stars that give a reddish colour to the bar.The gravitational perturbation from the bar causes interstellar gas and dust clouds to form a pair of spiral arms that extend from the ends of the bar. Young luminous hot stars, born out of the inter

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in Fornax - NGC 1365 is a barree spiral galaxy that extends over 200,000 years - light. Located 60 million years ago - light, it belongs to the cluster of galaxies of the Furnace. Image obtained in 1999 by the European telescope Antu of the VLT in Chile. NGC 1365 is one of the most prominent “” barred”” galaxies in the sky. It is a supergiant galaxy with a diameter of about 200,000 light - years, seen in the direction of the southern constellation Fornax. It is a major member of the Fornax Cluster of Galaxies. The distance is about 60 million light - years. A massive straight bar runs through this galaxy and contains the nucleus at the centre. It consists mostly of older stars that give a reddish colour to the bar.The gravitational perturbation from the bar causes interstellar gas and dust clouds to form a pair of spiral arms that extend from the ends of the bar. Young luminous hot stars, born out of the inter

PIX4609836

Interacting galaxies Arp 297 - Interacting galaxies Arp 297 - Arp 297 is located about 200 million light years away from Earth in the constellation Bovier. This pair of interacting galaxies consists of a large spiral galaxy, NGC 5754, and a small spiral galaxy, NGC 5752, at the bottom of the image. This interaction causes intense star flames within the small galaxy. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on March 14, 1999. This beautiful pair of interacting galaxies consists of NGC 5754, the large spiral on the right, and NGC 5752, the smaller companion in the bottom left corner of the image. NGC 5754's internal structure has hardly been disturbed by the interaction. The outer structure does exhibit tidal features, as does the symmetry of the inner spiral pattern and the kinked arms just beyond its inner ring. In contrast, NGC 5752 has undergone a starburst episode, with a rich population of massive and luminous star clusters clumping around the core and intertwined with intricat

Interacting galaxies Arp 297 - Interacting galaxies Arp 297 - Arp 297 is located about 200 million light years away from Earth in the constellation Bovier. This pair of interacting galaxies consists of a large spiral galaxy, NGC 5754, and a small spiral galaxy, NGC 5752, at the bottom of the image. This interaction causes intense star flames within the small galaxy. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on March 14, 1999. This beautiful pair of interacting galaxies consists of NGC 5754, the large spiral on the right, and NGC 5752, the smaller companion in the bottom left corner of the image. NGC 5754's internal structure has hardly been disturbed by the interaction. The outer structure does exhibit tidal features, as does the symmetry of the inner spiral pattern and the kinked arms just beyond its inner ring. In contrast, NGC 5752 has undergone a starburst episode, with a rich population of massive and luminous star clusters clumping around the core and intertwined with intricat

PIX4612781

Spiral galaxy M81 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy M81 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy M81 is located 12 million years ago - light from Earth. Its arms are home to star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. An irregular dwarf galaxy, PGC 28757 (Holmberg IX), is visible at the top of the picture. M81 is the brightest member of the nearby galactic group called the M81 group. This group contains at least 25 other members including the peculiar starburst galaxy M82, the peculiar galaxy NGC 3077 and many dwarfs galaxies. The core galaxies of the group (M81, M82, NGC 3077, NGC 2976) are strongly interacting and are all imbedded within a large and extended molecular gas cloud. The Dwarf irregular Holmberg IX (seen above M81 in the image) most likely condensed from tidal debri existing between M81 and M82. M81 has the distinction of being the nearest spiral galaxy to have an active galactic nucleus (AGN). AGN galaxies are luminous galaxies that demonstrate

Spiral galaxy M81 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy M81 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy M81 is located 12 million years ago - light from Earth. Its arms are home to star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. An irregular dwarf galaxy, PGC 28757 (Holmberg IX), is visible at the top of the picture. M81 is the brightest member of the nearby galactic group called the M81 group. This group contains at least 25 other members including the peculiar starburst galaxy M82, the peculiar galaxy NGC 3077 and many dwarfs galaxies. The core galaxies of the group (M81, M82, NGC 3077, NGC 2976) are strongly interacting and are all imbedded within a large and extended molecular gas cloud. The Dwarf irregular Holmberg IX (seen above M81 in the image) most likely condensed from tidal debri existing between M81 and M82. M81 has the distinction of being the nearest spiral galaxy to have an active galactic nucleus (AGN). AGN galaxies are luminous galaxies that demonstrate

R. Gendler

PIX4610379

Spiral galaxy M81 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy M81 in Ursa Major: The spiral galaxy M81 is located 12 million light years from Earth. Its arms are home to star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. An irregular dwarf galaxy, PGC 28757 (Holmberg IX), is visible at the top of the picture. - M81 is the brightest member of the nearby galactic group called the M81 group. This group contains at least 25 other members including the peculiar starburst galaxy M82, the peculiar galaxy NGC 3077 and many dwarfs galaxies. The core galaxies of the group (M81, M82, NGC 3077, NGC 2976) are strongly interacting and are all imbedded within a large and extended molecular gas cloud. The Dwarf irregular Holmberg IX (seen above M81 in the image) most likely condensed from tidal debri existing between M81 and M82. M81 has the distinction of being the nearest spiral galaxy to have an active galactic nucleus (AGN). AGN galaxies are luminous galaxies that demonstrate much

Spiral galaxy M81 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy M81 in Ursa Major: The spiral galaxy M81 is located 12 million light years from Earth. Its arms are home to star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. An irregular dwarf galaxy, PGC 28757 (Holmberg IX), is visible at the top of the picture. - M81 is the brightest member of the nearby galactic group called the M81 group. This group contains at least 25 other members including the peculiar starburst galaxy M82, the peculiar galaxy NGC 3077 and many dwarfs galaxies. The core galaxies of the group (M81, M82, NGC 3077, NGC 2976) are strongly interacting and are all imbedded within a large and extended molecular gas cloud. The Dwarf irregular Holmberg IX (seen above M81 in the image) most likely condensed from tidal debri existing between M81 and M82. M81 has the distinction of being the nearest spiral galaxy to have an active galactic nucleus (AGN). AGN galaxies are luminous galaxies that demonstrate much

PIX4610399

Cepheide RS Puppis - Cepheides are very bright variable stars that serve as cosmic beacons to measure the distance of nearby galaxies. Their pulse period is measured and their absolute luminosite is calculated. By comparing the result to their apparent luminosite in the sky, they can be calculated accurately. Here, the space telescope photographed one of the brightest cepheids, RS Puppis (in the center of the image), located 6500 years - light in the southern constellation of the Puppi. The bright southern hemisphere star RS Puppis, at the center of the image, is swaddled in a gossamer cocoon of reflective dust illuminated by the glittering star. The super star is ten times more massive than our Sun and 200 times larger. RS Puppis rhythmically brightens and dims over a six - week cycle. It is one of the most luminous in the class of so - called Cepheid variable stars. Its average intrinsic brightness is 15,000 times greater than our Sun's luminosity. The nebula flickers in brightness a

Cepheide RS Puppis - Cepheides are very bright variable stars that serve as cosmic beacons to measure the distance of nearby galaxies. Their pulse period is measured and their absolute luminosite is calculated. By comparing the result to their apparent luminosite in the sky, they can be calculated accurately. Here, the space telescope photographed one of the brightest cepheids, RS Puppis (in the center of the image), located 6500 years - light in the southern constellation of the Puppi. The bright southern hemisphere star RS Puppis, at the center of the image, is swaddled in a gossamer cocoon of reflective dust illuminated by the glittering star. The super star is ten times more massive than our Sun and 200 times larger. RS Puppis rhythmically brightens and dims over a six - week cycle. It is one of the most luminous in the class of so - called Cepheid variable stars. Its average intrinsic brightness is 15,000 times greater than our Sun's luminosity. The nebula flickers in brightness a

PIX4572188

Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpio - Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpius - Nebula has a low light emission, IC 4628 (or Gum 56) is alongside the open cluster Collinder 316, which houses many young hot stars. Image obtained through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen (blue), hydrogen (green), and sulfur (red). This beautiful, arc - like rim of nebulosity is in the far southern sky, out of sight from most of the USA and Europe. It is quite faint and has often been overlooked because of it, even by southern observers. However, it is in a rich region in Scorpius. This richness is reflected in the number of names associated with the objects in the field illustrated here. There is a large scattered star cluster, Collinder 316 which extends over most of the picture. It encloses Trumpler 24, more or less the same cluster under another name, and all of this is part of the Sco OB1 association, a much larger gathering of very hot, intrinsically luminous stars in this part of the sky. The nebula itself is als

Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpio - Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpius - Nebula has a low light emission, IC 4628 (or Gum 56) is alongside the open cluster Collinder 316, which houses many young hot stars. Image obtained through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen (blue), hydrogen (green), and sulfur (red). This beautiful, arc - like rim of nebulosity is in the far southern sky, out of sight from most of the USA and Europe. It is quite faint and has often been overlooked because of it, even by southern observers. However, it is in a rich region in Scorpius. This richness is reflected in the number of names associated with the objects in the field illustrated here. There is a large scattered star cluster, Collinder 316 which extends over most of the picture. It encloses Trumpler 24, more or less the same cluster under another name, and all of this is part of the Sco OB1 association, a much larger gathering of very hot, intrinsically luminous stars in this part of the sky. The nebula itself is als

Tom Davis

PIX4622673

Spiral galaxy M81 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy M81 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy M81 is located 12 million years ago - light from Earth. Its arms are home to star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. An irregular dwarf galaxy, PGC 28757 (Holmberg IX), is visible at the top of the picture. Image obtained with a 50 cm telescope through different filters, total of different poses: 20h. M81 is the brightest member of the nearby galactic group called the M81 group. This group contains at least 25 other members including the peculiar starburst galaxy M82, the peculiar galaxy NGC 3077 and many dwarfs galaxies. The core galaxies of the group (M81, M82, NGC 3077, NGC 2976) are strongly interacting and are all imbedded within a large and extended molecular gas cloud. The Dwarf irregular Holmberg IX (seen above M81 in the image) most likely condensed from tidal debri existing between M81 and M82. M81 has the distinction of being the nearest spiral gala

Spiral galaxy M81 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy M81 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy M81 is located 12 million years ago - light from Earth. Its arms are home to star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. An irregular dwarf galaxy, PGC 28757 (Holmberg IX), is visible at the top of the picture. Image obtained with a 50 cm telescope through different filters, total of different poses: 20h. M81 is the brightest member of the nearby galactic group called the M81 group. This group contains at least 25 other members including the peculiar starburst galaxy M82, the peculiar galaxy NGC 3077 and many dwarfs galaxies. The core galaxies of the group (M81, M82, NGC 3077, NGC 2976) are strongly interacting and are all imbedded within a large and extended molecular gas cloud. The Dwarf irregular Holmberg IX (seen above M81 in the image) most likely condensed from tidal debri existing between M81 and M82. M81 has the distinction of being the nearest spiral gala

R. Gendler

PIX4610335

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene in false colours - NGC 3372 Carina nebula - Image of the nebula of the Carene (NGC 3372), a very vast region of star formation, obtained by combining light through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen in blue, hydrogen in green, and sulfur in red. The colors also represent different gas temperatures, warm, blue, colder in red. The bright star in the center of the image is Eta Carinae, a super massive star. Image obtained with the Curtis - Schmidt telescope of the Cerro Tololo Observatory. This image shows a giant star - forming region in the southern sky known as the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372), combining the light from 3 different filters tracing emission from oxygen (blue), hydrogen (green), and sulphur (red). The color is also representative of the temperature in the ionized gas: blue is relatively hot and red is cooler. The Carina Nebula is a good example of how very massive stars rip apart the molecular clouds that give birth to them. The bright sta

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene in false colours - NGC 3372 Carina nebula - Image of the nebula of the Carene (NGC 3372), a very vast region of star formation, obtained by combining light through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen in blue, hydrogen in green, and sulfur in red. The colors also represent different gas temperatures, warm, blue, colder in red. The bright star in the center of the image is Eta Carinae, a super massive star. Image obtained with the Curtis - Schmidt telescope of the Cerro Tololo Observatory. This image shows a giant star - forming region in the southern sky known as the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372), combining the light from 3 different filters tracing emission from oxygen (blue), hydrogen (green), and sulphur (red). The color is also representative of the temperature in the ionized gas: blue is relatively hot and red is cooler. The Carina Nebula is a good example of how very massive stars rip apart the molecular clouds that give birth to them. The bright sta

PIX4618865

Spiral galaxy M81 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy M81 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy M81 is located 12 million years ago - light from Earth. Its arms are home to star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. In the background at the top, an irregular dwarf galaxy, Holmberg IX. Image obtained by an amateur telescope of 50 cm, composting different poses. M81 is the brightest member of the nearby galactic group called the M81 group. This group contains at least 25 other members including the peculiar starburst galaxy M82, the peculiar galaxy NGC 3077 and many dwarfs galaxies. The core galaxies of the group (M81, M82, NGC 3077, NGC 2976) are strongly interacting and are all imbedded within a large and extended molecular gas cloud. The Dwarf irregular Holmberg IX (seen above M81 in the image) most likely condensed from tidal debri existing between M81 and M82. M81 has the distinction of being the nearest spiral galaxy to have an active galactic nucleus (

Spiral galaxy M81 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy M81 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy M81 is located 12 million years ago - light from Earth. Its arms are home to star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. In the background at the top, an irregular dwarf galaxy, Holmberg IX. Image obtained by an amateur telescope of 50 cm, composting different poses. M81 is the brightest member of the nearby galactic group called the M81 group. This group contains at least 25 other members including the peculiar starburst galaxy M82, the peculiar galaxy NGC 3077 and many dwarfs galaxies. The core galaxies of the group (M81, M82, NGC 3077, NGC 2976) are strongly interacting and are all imbedded within a large and extended molecular gas cloud. The Dwarf irregular Holmberg IX (seen above M81 in the image) most likely condensed from tidal debri existing between M81 and M82. M81 has the distinction of being the nearest spiral galaxy to have an active galactic nucleus (

R. Jay GaBany

PIX4610325

Interacting galaxies Markarian 533 - Interacting galaxies Markarian 533 - The galaxy NGC 7674 (Markarian 533 or Arp 182) is located about 400 million years ago - light from Earth in the constellation Pegase. It is the most important member of a group of galaxies called Hickson 96 (HCG 96). This spiral galaxy seen from the front is in interaction with other companion galaxies. It has an active core. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on June 9, 2002. NGC 7674 (seen just above the center), also known as Markarian 533, is the brightest and largest member of the so - called Hickson 96 compact group of galaxies, consisting of four galaxies. This stunning Hubble image shows a spiral galaxy nearly face - on. The central bar - shaped structure is made up of stars. The shape of NGC 7674, including the long narrow streamers seen to the left of and below the galaxy can be accounted for by tidal interactions with its companions. NGC 7674 has a powerful active nucleus of the kind known as

Interacting galaxies Markarian 533 - Interacting galaxies Markarian 533 - The galaxy NGC 7674 (Markarian 533 or Arp 182) is located about 400 million years ago - light from Earth in the constellation Pegase. It is the most important member of a group of galaxies called Hickson 96 (HCG 96). This spiral galaxy seen from the front is in interaction with other companion galaxies. It has an active core. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on June 9, 2002. NGC 7674 (seen just above the center), also known as Markarian 533, is the brightest and largest member of the so - called Hickson 96 compact group of galaxies, consisting of four galaxies. This stunning Hubble image shows a spiral galaxy nearly face - on. The central bar - shaped structure is made up of stars. The shape of NGC 7674, including the long narrow streamers seen to the left of and below the galaxy can be accounted for by tidal interactions with its companions. NGC 7674 has a powerful active nucleus of the kind known as

PIX4613210

Spiral galaxy M77 in the Whale - Active galaxy M77 (NGC 1068) in Cetus - M77 (NGC 1068). This active galaxy is the typical example of a Seyfert II galaxy. It has an active core and houses a massive black hole. She is the object of intense star formation in her spiral arms. NGC 1068 is around 50 million years of light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. M77 is a Seyfert galaxy, a class of galaxy named for Karl Seyfert who first identified galaxies with emission lines superimposed on the normal radiation from their nuclei in 1943. Such galaxies are a subset of an ill - defined species generally known as 'active galaxies' whose nuclei emit radio - and X - radiation as well as visible light. The least active of the active galaxies are the Seyferts, the most active are the quasars which are mostly so distant that they can only be distinguished from stars by their spectrum. <BR>The common feature of these galaxy types is a small, very bright nucleus thought to host

Spiral galaxy M77 in the Whale - Active galaxy M77 (NGC 1068) in Cetus - M77 (NGC 1068). This active galaxy is the typical example of a Seyfert II galaxy. It has an active core and houses a massive black hole. She is the object of intense star formation in her spiral arms. NGC 1068 is around 50 million years of light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. M77 is a Seyfert galaxy, a class of galaxy named for Karl Seyfert who first identified galaxies with emission lines superimposed on the normal radiation from their nuclei in 1943. Such galaxies are a subset of an ill - defined species generally known as 'active galaxies' whose nuclei emit radio - and X - radiation as well as visible light. The least active of the active galaxies are the Seyferts, the most active are the quasars which are mostly so distant that they can only be distinguished from stars by their spectrum. <BR>The common feature of these galaxy types is a small, very bright nucleus thought to host

PIX4609570

Star births in the nebula NGC 6729 - Young stars in the nebula NGC 6729 - Close up on a star-forming region. The new stars are invisible, hidden behind the dust cloud at the top left of the image, but the material they eject at very high speed causes colorful and luminous arcs in contact with the surrounding gas. Image obtained in Chile with the VLT. This very detailed false - colour image from Eso's Very Large Telescope shows the dramatic effects of very young stars on the dust and gas from which they were born in the star - forming region NGC 6729. The baby stars are invisible in this picture, being hidden behind dust clouds at the upper left of the picture, but material they are ejecting is crashing into the surroundings at speeds of that can be as high as one million kilometres per hour. These shocks cause the gas to shine and create the strangely coloured glowing arcs and blobs known as Herbig - Haro objects. In this view the Herbig - Haro objects form two lines marking out the pr

Star births in the nebula NGC 6729 - Young stars in the nebula NGC 6729 - Close up on a star-forming region. The new stars are invisible, hidden behind the dust cloud at the top left of the image, but the material they eject at very high speed causes colorful and luminous arcs in contact with the surrounding gas. Image obtained in Chile with the VLT. This very detailed false - colour image from Eso's Very Large Telescope shows the dramatic effects of very young stars on the dust and gas from which they were born in the star - forming region NGC 6729. The baby stars are invisible in this picture, being hidden behind dust clouds at the upper left of the picture, but material they are ejecting is crashing into the surroundings at speeds of that can be as high as one million kilometres per hour. These shocks cause the gas to shine and create the strangely coloured glowing arcs and blobs known as Herbig - Haro objects. In this view the Herbig - Haro objects form two lines marking out the pr

PIX4620300

Detail in the Tarantula Nebula - Part of the Tarantula Nebula - The Tarantula Nebula (or 30 Bream bream) is the largest star-forming region of the Magellan Cloud. It is located 170,000 light years ago in the constellation Dorado (southern hemisphere). This image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) shows a detail of the nebula around NGC 2060, a cluster of stars associated with a remnant of supernova (N157b) housing a pulsar. The part of the Tarentula nebula visible in this image from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys is criss - crossed with tendrils of dust and gas churned up by recent supernovae. These supernova remnants include NGC 2060, visible above and to the left of the centre of this image, which contains the brightest known pulsar. The tarantula's bite goes beyond NGC 2060. Near the edge of the nebula, outside the frame, below and to the right, lie the remains of supernova SN 1987a, the closest supernova to Earth to be observed since the invention of telescopes in t

Detail in the Tarantula Nebula - Part of the Tarantula Nebula - The Tarantula Nebula (or 30 Bream bream) is the largest star-forming region of the Magellan Cloud. It is located 170,000 light years ago in the constellation Dorado (southern hemisphere). This image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) shows a detail of the nebula around NGC 2060, a cluster of stars associated with a remnant of supernova (N157b) housing a pulsar. The part of the Tarentula nebula visible in this image from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys is criss - crossed with tendrils of dust and gas churned up by recent supernovae. These supernova remnants include NGC 2060, visible above and to the left of the centre of this image, which contains the brightest known pulsar. The tarantula's bite goes beyond NGC 2060. Near the edge of the nebula, outside the frame, below and to the right, lie the remains of supernova SN 1987a, the closest supernova to Earth to be observed since the invention of telescopes in t

PIX4618146

Interacting galaxies in the Austral Fish - Interacting galaxies in Piscis Austrinus - The galaxies NGC 7173 (middle left), NGC 7174 (middle right) and NGC 7176 (bottom right) photographed here by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), belong to a cluster of galaxies called Hickson Compact Group 90 (HCG 90), located about 100 million years ago lights in the constellation of Southern Fish. NGC 7173 and NGC 7176 are two elliptical galaxies while NGC 7174 is a spiral galaxy deformed by the gravitational forces exerted by its neighbors. The three pictured galaxies - - NGC 7173 (middle left), NCG 7174 (middle right) and NGC 7176 (lower right) - - are part of the Hickson Compact Group 90, named after astronomer Paul Hickson, who first catalogued these small clusters of galaxies in the 1980s. NGC 7173 and NGC 7176 appear to be smooth, normal elliptical galaxies without much gas and dust. In stark contrast, NGC 7174 is a mangled spiral galaxy, barely clinging to independent existence as it is ripped

Interacting galaxies in the Austral Fish - Interacting galaxies in Piscis Austrinus - The galaxies NGC 7173 (middle left), NGC 7174 (middle right) and NGC 7176 (bottom right) photographed here by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), belong to a cluster of galaxies called Hickson Compact Group 90 (HCG 90), located about 100 million years ago lights in the constellation of Southern Fish. NGC 7173 and NGC 7176 are two elliptical galaxies while NGC 7174 is a spiral galaxy deformed by the gravitational forces exerted by its neighbors. The three pictured galaxies - - NGC 7173 (middle left), NCG 7174 (middle right) and NGC 7176 (lower right) - - are part of the Hickson Compact Group 90, named after astronomer Paul Hickson, who first catalogued these small clusters of galaxies in the 1980s. NGC 7173 and NGC 7176 appear to be smooth, normal elliptical galaxies without much gas and dust. In stark contrast, NGC 7174 is a mangled spiral galaxy, barely clinging to independent existence as it is ripped

PIX4613098

Spiral galaxy NGC 1566 in the bream - The Seyfert Galaxy NGC 1566: NGC 1566 is a spiral galaxy located about 40 million light years ago. Its core is very bright. It is an active galaxy called Seyfert, which probably houses a black hole in its heart. Image obtained with the Hubble telescope - NGC 1566 is a galaxy located approximately 40 million light-years away in the constellation of Dorado (The Dolphinfish). NGC 1566 is an intermediate spiral galaxy, meaning that while it does not have a well defined bar-shaped region of stars at its centre - like barred spirals - it is not quite an unbarred spiral either (heic9902o). The small but extremely bright nucleus of NGC 1566 is clearly visible in this image, a telltale sign of its membership of the Seyfert class of galaxies. The centres of such galaxies are very active and luminous, emitting strong bursts of radiation and potentially harbouring supermassive black holes that are many millions of times the mass of the Sun. NGC 1566 is not jus

Spiral galaxy NGC 1566 in the bream - The Seyfert Galaxy NGC 1566: NGC 1566 is a spiral galaxy located about 40 million light years ago. Its core is very bright. It is an active galaxy called Seyfert, which probably houses a black hole in its heart. Image obtained with the Hubble telescope - NGC 1566 is a galaxy located approximately 40 million light-years away in the constellation of Dorado (The Dolphinfish). NGC 1566 is an intermediate spiral galaxy, meaning that while it does not have a well defined bar-shaped region of stars at its centre - like barred spirals - it is not quite an unbarred spiral either (heic9902o). The small but extremely bright nucleus of NGC 1566 is clearly visible in this image, a telltale sign of its membership of the Seyfert class of galaxies. The centres of such galaxies are very active and luminous, emitting strong bursts of radiation and potentially harbouring supermassive black holes that are many millions of times the mass of the Sun. NGC 1566 is not jus

PIX4609939

Persee Galaxy Cluster - Perseus galaxy cluster - The Persee galaxy cluster (Abell 426) contains at least 500 galaxies including the large elliptical galaxy NGC 1275. This galaxy (the galaxy with pink filaments to the left of the image) is located about 235 million years ago - light; it is a very strong source of radio wave transmission known as Perseus A. In the right center of the image, note the presence of a supernova, SN 2008fg, in a small blue spiral galaxy, NGC 1268. Perseus galaxy cluster (Abell 426) is a cluster of about 500 galaxies. The biggest (left) is NGC 1275, located 235 million light years away; it is a strong radio source known as Perseus A. The gravity exerted by the luminous parts of a galaxy cluster is insufficient to hold the cluster together. Thus, scientists have concluded the missing adhesive must be dark matter and since it's invisible to modern instruments - it can only be inferred. So, when one views the image of the Perseus Galaxy Cluster, ones sees only a s

Persee Galaxy Cluster - Perseus galaxy cluster - The Persee galaxy cluster (Abell 426) contains at least 500 galaxies including the large elliptical galaxy NGC 1275. This galaxy (the galaxy with pink filaments to the left of the image) is located about 235 million years ago - light; it is a very strong source of radio wave transmission known as Perseus A. In the right center of the image, note the presence of a supernova, SN 2008fg, in a small blue spiral galaxy, NGC 1268. Perseus galaxy cluster (Abell 426) is a cluster of about 500 galaxies. The biggest (left) is NGC 1275, located 235 million light years away; it is a strong radio source known as Perseus A. The gravity exerted by the luminous parts of a galaxy cluster is insufficient to hold the cluster together. Thus, scientists have concluded the missing adhesive must be dark matter and since it's invisible to modern instruments - it can only be inferred. So, when one views the image of the Perseus Galaxy Cluster, ones sees only a s

R. Jay GaBany

PIX4565332

Spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegase - Spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus: The galaxy NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light years away from Earth. Image obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus (The Winged Horse). Facing us partially edge-on, the galaxy showcases it's beautiful arms which swirl like a whirlpool around its bright central region. Astronomers took this image using Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), as they were observing an extraordinary exploding star - a supernova - which can still be faintly seen as a tiny red dot near the galaxy's central yellow core. Named SN2014C, it rapidly evolved from a supernova containing very little Hydrogen to one that is Hydrogen-rich - in just one year. This rarely observed metamorphosis was luminous at high energies and provides unique insight into the poorly understood final phases of massive stars. NGC 7331 is similar in size, shape, and mass to the

Spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegase - Spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus: The galaxy NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light years away from Earth. Image obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus (The Winged Horse). Facing us partially edge-on, the galaxy showcases it's beautiful arms which swirl like a whirlpool around its bright central region. Astronomers took this image using Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), as they were observing an extraordinary exploding star - a supernova - which can still be faintly seen as a tiny red dot near the galaxy's central yellow core. Named SN2014C, it rapidly evolved from a supernova containing very little Hydrogen to one that is Hydrogen-rich - in just one year. This rarely observed metamorphosis was luminous at high energies and provides unique insight into the poorly understood final phases of massive stars. NGC 7331 is similar in size, shape, and mass to the

PIX4613167

Interacting galaxies NGC 4038 - 4039 in the Raven - The Antennae galaxy in Corvus - On the left, seen from the ground of the galaxy NGC 4038 - 39 (antenna galaxy), located about 45 million years ago - light. These two galaxies are interacting. The collision started at least 100 million years ago causes intense star formation. On the right, the image made by the space telescope Hubble on 20 January 1996 shows in detail the nuclei of these two twin galaxies surrounded by young clusters of blue stars, more than 1000, made up of young and massive stars. At left, a ground - based telescopic view of the Antennae galaxies (known formally as NGC 4038/4039) - so named because a pair of long tails of luminous matter, formed by the gravitational tidal forces of their encounter, resemble an insect's antennae. The galaxies are located 45 million light - years away in the southern constellation Corvus. At right, the respective cores of the twin galaxies are the orange blobs, left and right of image

Interacting galaxies NGC 4038 - 4039 in the Raven - The Antennae galaxy in Corvus - On the left, seen from the ground of the galaxy NGC 4038 - 39 (antenna galaxy), located about 45 million years ago - light. These two galaxies are interacting. The collision started at least 100 million years ago causes intense star formation. On the right, the image made by the space telescope Hubble on 20 January 1996 shows in detail the nuclei of these two twin galaxies surrounded by young clusters of blue stars, more than 1000, made up of young and massive stars. At left, a ground - based telescopic view of the Antennae galaxies (known formally as NGC 4038/4039) - so named because a pair of long tails of luminous matter, formed by the gravitational tidal forces of their encounter, resemble an insect's antennae. The galaxies are located 45 million light - years away in the southern constellation Corvus. At right, the respective cores of the twin galaxies are the orange blobs, left and right of image

PIX4611051

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - NGC 3372 Carina nebula - The Carene Nebula (NGC 3372) is a very large region of star formation visible in the southern hemisphere. Image obtained through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen (blue), hydrogen (green), and sulfur (red). The bright star in the center of the image is Eta Carinae, a super massive star. The Carina Nebula (also known as the Great Nebula in Carina, the Eta Carinae Nebula, or NGC 3372) is a large bright nebula that surrounds several open clusters of stars. Eta Carinae and HD 93129A, two of the most massive and luminous stars in our Milky Way galaxy, are among them. The nebula lies at an estimated distance between 6,500 and 10,000 light years from Earth. It is located in the constellation of Carina. The nebula contains multiple O - type stars. This nebula is one of the largest H II regions in the Milky Way. It has a visual magnitude of 1.0. The nebula is one of the largest diffuse nebulae in our skies. Although it is some fou

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - NGC 3372 Carina nebula - The Carene Nebula (NGC 3372) is a very large region of star formation visible in the southern hemisphere. Image obtained through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen (blue), hydrogen (green), and sulfur (red). The bright star in the center of the image is Eta Carinae, a super massive star. The Carina Nebula (also known as the Great Nebula in Carina, the Eta Carinae Nebula, or NGC 3372) is a large bright nebula that surrounds several open clusters of stars. Eta Carinae and HD 93129A, two of the most massive and luminous stars in our Milky Way galaxy, are among them. The nebula lies at an estimated distance between 6,500 and 10,000 light years from Earth. It is located in the constellation of Carina. The nebula contains multiple O - type stars. This nebula is one of the largest H II regions in the Milky Way. It has a visual magnitude of 1.0. The nebula is one of the largest diffuse nebulae in our skies. Although it is some fou

Tom Davis

PIX4619112

Double star Gliese 623 - Double star system Gliese 623 in Hercules - Gliese 623 is a double star located about 25 years ago - light in the constellation Hercules. The Hubble space telescope was able for the first time to obtain an image of the two stars that make up this system, in June 1994. The two stars are separated by about twice the distance from Earth to Sun. On the right, 623b, a star 60,000 times less bright than the Sun, and 10 times less massive. Its nature is misidentified, it's a red dwarf or a brown dwarf. A dim double star system cataloged as Gliese 623 lies 25 light - years from Earth, in the constellation of Hercules. The individual stars of this binary system were distinguished for the first time when the Hubble Space Telescope's Faint Object Camera recorded this image in June 1994. They are separated by 200 million miles - about twice the Earth/Sun distance. On the right, the fainter Gliese 623b is 60,000 times less luminous than the Sun and approximately 10 times le

Double star Gliese 623 - Double star system Gliese 623 in Hercules - Gliese 623 is a double star located about 25 years ago - light in the constellation Hercules. The Hubble space telescope was able for the first time to obtain an image of the two stars that make up this system, in June 1994. The two stars are separated by about twice the distance from Earth to Sun. On the right, 623b, a star 60,000 times less bright than the Sun, and 10 times less massive. Its nature is misidentified, it's a red dwarf or a brown dwarf. A dim double star system cataloged as Gliese 623 lies 25 light - years from Earth, in the constellation of Hercules. The individual stars of this binary system were distinguished for the first time when the Hubble Space Telescope's Faint Object Camera recorded this image in June 1994. They are separated by 200 million miles - about twice the Earth/Sun distance. On the right, the fainter Gliese 623b is 60,000 times less luminous than the Sun and approximately 10 times le

PIX4572158

Dark stars and nebulae in Sagittarius and Ophiuchus - Dark Nebulae in Sagittarius and Scorpius - Dark nebulae on the edge of the Pipe nebula. This complex of dust clouds that block the light of the stars is located between the Sagittarius and the Scorpio, near the center of our lactee road. Also visible, the nebulae emitted from the Lagoon, Trifide, and Omega. Image obtained with Canon 20Da, 50 mm f/1.4, 6 x 5 min ISO 1600 poses. This amazing complex of dark nebulae and dust in Sagittarius and Ophiuchus lies near the central bulge of our own galaxy, the Milky Way. Dark nebulae are non - luminous clouds of obscuring matter and dust which block the light from stars behind them. Many of the dark nebulae seen here are listed in E.E. Barnard's catalog of dark nebulae and are given a “” B” designation, such as B72, the Snake Nebula. Almost the entire complex of dark nebulae seen on the right hand side of the image make up the “Dark Horse and Rider””. The Pipe Nebula, Lynds Dark Nebula 1773,

Dark stars and nebulae in Sagittarius and Ophiuchus - Dark Nebulae in Sagittarius and Scorpius - Dark nebulae on the edge of the Pipe nebula. This complex of dust clouds that block the light of the stars is located between the Sagittarius and the Scorpio, near the center of our lactee road. Also visible, the nebulae emitted from the Lagoon, Trifide, and Omega. Image obtained with Canon 20Da, 50 mm f/1.4, 6 x 5 min ISO 1600 poses. This amazing complex of dark nebulae and dust in Sagittarius and Ophiuchus lies near the central bulge of our own galaxy, the Milky Way. Dark nebulae are non - luminous clouds of obscuring matter and dust which block the light from stars behind them. Many of the dark nebulae seen here are listed in E.E. Barnard's catalog of dark nebulae and are given a “” B” designation, such as B72, the Snake Nebula. Almost the entire complex of dark nebulae seen on the right hand side of the image make up the “Dark Horse and Rider””. The Pipe Nebula, Lynds Dark Nebula 1773,

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4621393

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in Centaurus - The radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. Image obtained with a 35 cm telescope, 11 hours of cumulative poses. NGC 5128 is the nearest large elliptical galaxies to our sun at about 13 million light years. It is also the nearest of the giant radio galaxies, possessing an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and optically one of the most luminous galaxies in the sky. In 1949, NGC 5128 was found to be a loud source of radio energy, in fact the loudest radio source in its region of the sky (second overall to Cygnus A), earning it the designation Centarus A. As a radio galaxy it releases 1000 t

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in Centaurus - The radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. Image obtained with a 35 cm telescope, 11 hours of cumulative poses. NGC 5128 is the nearest large elliptical galaxies to our sun at about 13 million light years. It is also the nearest of the giant radio galaxies, possessing an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and optically one of the most luminous galaxies in the sky. In 1949, NGC 5128 was found to be a loud source of radio energy, in fact the loudest radio source in its region of the sky (second overall to Cygnus A), earning it the designation Centarus A. As a radio galaxy it releases 1000 t

R. Gendler

PIX4612271

Nebula Trifide (M20) in Sagittarius view in visible and infrared - This image composite compares the well - known visible - light picture of the glowing Trifid Nebula (left panel) with infrared views from Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope (remaining three panels). The Trifid Nebula is a giant star - forming cloud of gas and dust located 5,400 light - years away in the constellation Sagittarius. The false - color Spitzer images reveal a different side of the Trifid Nebula. Where dark lanes of dust are visible trisecting the nebula in the visible - light picture, bright regions of star - forming activity are seen in the Spitzer pictures. All together, Spitzer uncovered 30 massive embryonic stars and 120 smaller newborn stars throughout the Trifid Nebula, in both its dark lanes and luminous clouds. These stars are visible in all the Spitzer images, mainly as yellow or red spots. Embryonic stars are developing stars about to burst into existence. Ten of the 30 massive embryos discovered by Sp

Nebula Trifide (M20) in Sagittarius view in visible and infrared - This image composite compares the well - known visible - light picture of the glowing Trifid Nebula (left panel) with infrared views from Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope (remaining three panels). The Trifid Nebula is a giant star - forming cloud of gas and dust located 5,400 light - years away in the constellation Sagittarius. The false - color Spitzer images reveal a different side of the Trifid Nebula. Where dark lanes of dust are visible trisecting the nebula in the visible - light picture, bright regions of star - forming activity are seen in the Spitzer pictures. All together, Spitzer uncovered 30 massive embryonic stars and 120 smaller newborn stars throughout the Trifid Nebula, in both its dark lanes and luminous clouds. These stars are visible in all the Spitzer images, mainly as yellow or red spots. Embryonic stars are developing stars about to burst into existence. Ten of the 30 massive embryos discovered by Sp

PIX4619569

Djorgovski globular cluster 1 in Scorpio - Globular cluster Djorgovski 1 in Scorpius - The Djorgovski globular cluster 1 is a cluster of light stars located near the galactic center, 40,000 years - light from Earth. Its discovery is recent (1987) and studies show that its stars are composed only of hydrogene and helium. The absence of heavier elements that are usually present in stars remains an enigma. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has imaged an area so jam - packed with stars that they almost overwhelm the inky blackness of space. This includes the globular star cluster Djorgovski 1, which was only discovered in 1987 Djorgovski 1 is located close to the centre of our Milky Way Galaxy, within the bulge. If the galaxy is thought of as being like a city, then this bulge is the very busiest district at its centre. Djorgovski 1's proximity to this hub - - within just a few degrees - - explains why the picture is teeming with stars.

Djorgovski globular cluster 1 in Scorpio - Globular cluster Djorgovski 1 in Scorpius - The Djorgovski globular cluster 1 is a cluster of light stars located near the galactic center, 40,000 years - light from Earth. Its discovery is recent (1987) and studies show that its stars are composed only of hydrogene and helium. The absence of heavier elements that are usually present in stars remains an enigma. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has imaged an area so jam - packed with stars that they almost overwhelm the inky blackness of space. This includes the globular star cluster Djorgovski 1, which was only discovered in 1987 Djorgovski 1 is located close to the centre of our Milky Way Galaxy, within the bulge. If the galaxy is thought of as being like a city, then this bulge is the very busiest district at its centre. Djorgovski 1's proximity to this hub - - within just a few degrees - - explains why the picture is teeming with stars.

PIX4565206

Pistol star - Massive star in the constellation Sagittarius - The massive star Pistol star in Sagittarius - Pistol star is one of the most massive stars in our galaxy. Located about 25,000 years ago - the light of the Earth in the constellation of Sagittarius, this star shines like 10 million Sun consuming in six seconds as much energy as our star in a year. This star is masked by the numerous interstellar dust present in the Sagittarius near the galactic center and appears only in infrared wavelengths, as in this image obtained with the NICMOS instrument embark on the Hubble space telescope. The nebula that surrounds it (in the shape of a gun), extends over 4 years - light. Image obtained in 1997. Astronomers using Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope have identified what may be the most luminous star known “” a celestial mammoth which releases up to 10 million times the power of the Sun and is big enough to fill the diameter of Earth's orbit. The star unleashes as much energy in six seconds

Pistol star - Massive star in the constellation Sagittarius - The massive star Pistol star in Sagittarius - Pistol star is one of the most massive stars in our galaxy. Located about 25,000 years ago - the light of the Earth in the constellation of Sagittarius, this star shines like 10 million Sun consuming in six seconds as much energy as our star in a year. This star is masked by the numerous interstellar dust present in the Sagittarius near the galactic center and appears only in infrared wavelengths, as in this image obtained with the NICMOS instrument embark on the Hubble space telescope. The nebula that surrounds it (in the shape of a gun), extends over 4 years - light. Image obtained in 1997. Astronomers using Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope have identified what may be the most luminous star known “” a celestial mammoth which releases up to 10 million times the power of the Sun and is big enough to fill the diameter of Earth's orbit. The star unleashes as much energy in six seconds

PIX4572084

Centaurus A Elliptical Galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaur - Galaxy Centaurus A - The NGC 5128 galaxy is about 13 million years away - light from Earth. This image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1998 shows the star flames that occur in the dark band of the galaxy. In blue, these are the clusters of newly shaped young stars. At the top left, a photo of the galaxy obtained from the ground. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. NGC 5128 is the nearest large elliptical galaxies to our sun. It is also the nearest of the giant radio galaxies, possessing an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and optically one of the most luminous galaxies in the sky. Among many other things NGC 5128 is also the prototypical postmerger elliptical galaxy. Structural peculiarities including the prominent rotating disk of stars and gas and the complex shell structure of its halo point to a large scale merger

Centaurus A Elliptical Galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaur - Galaxy Centaurus A - The NGC 5128 galaxy is about 13 million years away - light from Earth. This image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1998 shows the star flames that occur in the dark band of the galaxy. In blue, these are the clusters of newly shaped young stars. At the top left, a photo of the galaxy obtained from the ground. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. NGC 5128 is the nearest large elliptical galaxies to our sun. It is also the nearest of the giant radio galaxies, possessing an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and optically one of the most luminous galaxies in the sky. Among many other things NGC 5128 is also the prototypical postmerger elliptical galaxy. Structural peculiarities including the prominent rotating disk of stars and gas and the complex shell structure of its halo point to a large scale merger

PIX4612157

Motion of the Star Proxima of Centauri - The proper motion of Proxima Centauri - Proxima of Centauri (in the center of the image) is the closest star to the Sun, located at a distance of 4.2 years - light. This star is a red dwarf, 10,000 times less luminous than our Sun, and is invisible to the naked eye. Its proximity makes it move quickly ahead of the other stars. This composite image made from three images taken in 1976 (blue), 1982 (red) and 1993 (green) shows the shift of the star in 17 years. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. Proxima Centauri is the nearest known star to the sun, at a distance of about 4.2 light years. It is an intrinsically faint red star, more than ten magnitudes (ten thousand times) fainter than the Sun. It is also much cooler, with a surface temperature of about 3100 C. Its visual (apparent) magnitude is eleven, so it is only visible with a good telescope, and only then from southern latitudes. Proxima is about one - tenth t

Motion of the Star Proxima of Centauri - The proper motion of Proxima Centauri - Proxima of Centauri (in the center of the image) is the closest star to the Sun, located at a distance of 4.2 years - light. This star is a red dwarf, 10,000 times less luminous than our Sun, and is invisible to the naked eye. Its proximity makes it move quickly ahead of the other stars. This composite image made from three images taken in 1976 (blue), 1982 (red) and 1993 (green) shows the shift of the star in 17 years. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. Proxima Centauri is the nearest known star to the sun, at a distance of about 4.2 light years. It is an intrinsically faint red star, more than ten magnitudes (ten thousand times) fainter than the Sun. It is also much cooler, with a surface temperature of about 3100 C. Its visual (apparent) magnitude is eleven, so it is only visible with a good telescope, and only then from southern latitudes. Proxima is about one - tenth t

PIX4571842

Globular cluster M5 in Serpens - Globular cluster M5 in Serpens - This cluster of stars is located about 25,000 light years away from Earth. It is one of the most extensive (165 years - light) and one of the oldest known globular clusters. Globular clusters are generally peoples of very old stars, but here the Hubble space telescope has identified some young stars, blue stragglers. The globular cluster Messier 5, shown here in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image, is one of the oldest belonging to the Milky Way. The majority of its stars formed more than 12 billion years ago, but there are some unexpected newcomers on the scene, adding some vitality to this aging population. Stars in globular clusters form in the same stellar nursery and grow old together. The most massive stars age quickly, exhausting their fuel supply in less than a million years, and end their lives in spectacular supernovae explosions. This process should have left the ancient cluster Messier 5 with only old,

Globular cluster M5 in Serpens - Globular cluster M5 in Serpens - This cluster of stars is located about 25,000 light years away from Earth. It is one of the most extensive (165 years - light) and one of the oldest known globular clusters. Globular clusters are generally peoples of very old stars, but here the Hubble space telescope has identified some young stars, blue stragglers. The globular cluster Messier 5, shown here in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image, is one of the oldest belonging to the Milky Way. The majority of its stars formed more than 12 billion years ago, but there are some unexpected newcomers on the scene, adding some vitality to this aging population. Stars in globular clusters form in the same stellar nursery and grow old together. The most massive stars age quickly, exhausting their fuel supply in less than a million years, and end their lives in spectacular supernovae explosions. This process should have left the ancient cluster Messier 5 with only old,

PIX4564490

Colliding galaxy Ngc 6745 in Lyra - Colliding galaxy NGC 6745 in Lyra - The spiral galaxy NGC 6745 is located about 206 million years away - light from Earth. This galaxy is double; a second galaxy at the bottom right of the image collides with it, causing star formation. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1996. A large spiral galaxy, with its nucleus still intact, peers at the smaller passing galaxy (almost out of the field of view at lower right). These galaxies did not merely interact gravitationally as they passed one another, they actually collided. When galaxies collide, the stars that normally comprise the major portion of the luminous mass of each of the two galaxies will almost never collide with each other but will pass rather freely between each other with little damage. This occurs because the physical size of individual stars is tiny compared to their typical separations, making the chance of physical encounter relatively small. In our own Milky Way galaxy, th

Colliding galaxy Ngc 6745 in Lyra - Colliding galaxy NGC 6745 in Lyra - The spiral galaxy NGC 6745 is located about 206 million years away - light from Earth. This galaxy is double; a second galaxy at the bottom right of the image collides with it, causing star formation. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1996. A large spiral galaxy, with its nucleus still intact, peers at the smaller passing galaxy (almost out of the field of view at lower right). These galaxies did not merely interact gravitationally as they passed one another, they actually collided. When galaxies collide, the stars that normally comprise the major portion of the luminous mass of each of the two galaxies will almost never collide with each other but will pass rather freely between each other with little damage. This occurs because the physical size of individual stars is tiny compared to their typical separations, making the chance of physical encounter relatively small. In our own Milky Way galaxy, th

PIX4612985

Cepheides in the galaxy M81 - Cepheids in the galaxy M81 - Cepheides are very bright variable stars that serve as cosmic beacons to measure distance from nearby galaxies. Their pulse period is measured and their absolute luminosite is calculated. By comparing the result to their apparent luminosite in the sky, they can be calculated accurately. Here, the space telescope identified cepheides in the M81 galaxy; astronomers were able to deduce a new distance for this galaxy; it would be 11 million years - light from Earth; previous estimates gave a figure of 18 million light years. Image obtained in 1993. Astronomers have discovered variable stars in the spiral galaxy M81, and measured the distance of the galaxy to be 11 million light - years (3.4 megaparsecs). They quote a 10% uncertainty in this result (plus or minus approximately one million light - years). Previous estimates of the galaxy's distance have ranged from 4.5 to 18 million light - years (1.4 to 5.6 megaparsecs). The astrono

Cepheides in the galaxy M81 - Cepheids in the galaxy M81 - Cepheides are very bright variable stars that serve as cosmic beacons to measure distance from nearby galaxies. Their pulse period is measured and their absolute luminosite is calculated. By comparing the result to their apparent luminosite in the sky, they can be calculated accurately. Here, the space telescope identified cepheides in the M81 galaxy; astronomers were able to deduce a new distance for this galaxy; it would be 11 million years - light from Earth; previous estimates gave a figure of 18 million light years. Image obtained in 1993. Astronomers have discovered variable stars in the spiral galaxy M81, and measured the distance of the galaxy to be 11 million light - years (3.4 megaparsecs). They quote a 10% uncertainty in this result (plus or minus approximately one million light - years). Previous estimates of the galaxy's distance have ranged from 4.5 to 18 million light - years (1.4 to 5.6 megaparsecs). The astrono

PIX4572157

Detail of the Tarantula nebula (NGC 2070) in the Dorado - Detail of the Tarentula nebula in Dorado - Image of a detail of the Tarantula nebula obtained in December 2001 with the WFI instrument of the ESO/MPG 2.2 telescope - m at the La Silla Observatory. The Tarantula Nebula (or 30 Dorada) is the largest star-forming region of the Great Magellan Cloud, a galaxy adjacent to ours. It is located 170,000 light years ago in the constellation Dorado (southern hemisphere). This image shows the turbulent region around the ring - shaped nebula DEM L 299 in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way system. It was produced by combining three monochromatic images obtained in December 2001 with the Wide - Field - Imager (WFI) at the ESO/MPG 2.2 - m telescope at the La Silla Observatory. North is up and East is left. The coloured rings seen near some of the brighter stars in the field result from light reflections in the telescope optics. The Tarantula Nebula is one of the most

Detail of the Tarantula nebula (NGC 2070) in the Dorado - Detail of the Tarentula nebula in Dorado - Image of a detail of the Tarantula nebula obtained in December 2001 with the WFI instrument of the ESO/MPG 2.2 telescope - m at the La Silla Observatory. The Tarantula Nebula (or 30 Dorada) is the largest star-forming region of the Great Magellan Cloud, a galaxy adjacent to ours. It is located 170,000 light years ago in the constellation Dorado (southern hemisphere). This image shows the turbulent region around the ring - shaped nebula DEM L 299 in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way system. It was produced by combining three monochromatic images obtained in December 2001 with the Wide - Field - Imager (WFI) at the ESO/MPG 2.2 - m telescope at the La Silla Observatory. North is up and East is left. The coloured rings seen near some of the brighter stars in the field result from light reflections in the telescope optics. The Tarantula Nebula is one of the most

PIX4618269

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in Centaurus - The radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128): The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million light years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. - NGC 5128 is the nearest large elliptical galaxies to our sun at about 13 million light years. It is also the nearest of the giant radio galaxies, possessing an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and optically one of the most luminous galaxies in the sky. In 1949, NGC 5128 was found to be a loud source of radio energy, in fact the loudest radio source in its region of the sky (second overall to Cygnus A), earning it the designation Centarus A. As a radio galaxy it releases 1000 times the radio energy of the Milky Way in the form of large bi

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in Centaurus - The radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128): The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million light years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. - NGC 5128 is the nearest large elliptical galaxies to our sun at about 13 million light years. It is also the nearest of the giant radio galaxies, possessing an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and optically one of the most luminous galaxies in the sky. In 1949, NGC 5128 was found to be a loud source of radio energy, in fact the loudest radio source in its region of the sky (second overall to Cygnus A), earning it the designation Centarus A. As a radio galaxy it releases 1000 times the radio energy of the Milky Way in the form of large bi

PIX4612309

Remnants of Supernova of Vails - detail - Pencil Nebula (NGC 2376) - Remnants from a star that exploded thousands of years ago created a celestial abstract portrait, as captured in this image of the Pencil Nebula. Officially known as NGC 2736, the Pencil Nebula is part of the huge Vela supernova remnant, located in the southern constellation Vela. Discovered by Sir John Herschel in the 1840s, the nebula's linear appearance triggered its popular name. The nebula's shape suggests that it is part of the supernova shock wave that recently encountered a region of dense gas. It is this interaction that causes the nebula to glow, appearing like a rippled sheet. In this snapshot, astronomers are looking along the edge of the undulating sheet of gas. This view shows large, wispy filamentary structures, smaller bright knots of gas, and patches of diffuse gas. The Hubble Heritage Team used the Advanced Camera for Surveys in October 2002 to observe the nebula. The region of the Pencil Nebula captu

Remnants of Supernova of Vails - detail - Pencil Nebula (NGC 2376) - Remnants from a star that exploded thousands of years ago created a celestial abstract portrait, as captured in this image of the Pencil Nebula. Officially known as NGC 2736, the Pencil Nebula is part of the huge Vela supernova remnant, located in the southern constellation Vela. Discovered by Sir John Herschel in the 1840s, the nebula's linear appearance triggered its popular name. The nebula's shape suggests that it is part of the supernova shock wave that recently encountered a region of dense gas. It is this interaction that causes the nebula to glow, appearing like a rippled sheet. In this snapshot, astronomers are looking along the edge of the undulating sheet of gas. This view shows large, wispy filamentary structures, smaller bright knots of gas, and patches of diffuse gas. The Hubble Heritage Team used the Advanced Camera for Surveys in October 2002 to observe the nebula. The region of the Pencil Nebula captu

PIX4582819

Flying Star Zeta Ophiuchi - Runaway Star Zeta Ophiuchi - The blue star near the center of the image is Zeta Ophiuchi, a very massive star moving at 24 km per second. It is a “” fleeing star”, a star ejected by the explosion of his companion star. In this infrared image obtained by the WISE (Wide - field Infrared Survey Explorer) satellite, the interstellar dust traversed by the star appears, as well as an arc-shaped shock wave caused by the powerful stellar winds that the star breaks. The blue star near the center of this image is Zeta Ophiuchi. When seen in visible light it appears as a relatively dim red star surrounded by other dim stars and no dust. However, in this infrared image taken with Nasa's Wide - field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, a completely different view emerges. Zeta Ophiuchi is actually a very massive, hot, bright blue star plowing its way through a large cloud of interstellar dust and gas. Astronomers theorize that this stellar juggernaut was likely once part

Flying Star Zeta Ophiuchi - Runaway Star Zeta Ophiuchi - The blue star near the center of the image is Zeta Ophiuchi, a very massive star moving at 24 km per second. It is a “” fleeing star”, a star ejected by the explosion of his companion star. In this infrared image obtained by the WISE (Wide - field Infrared Survey Explorer) satellite, the interstellar dust traversed by the star appears, as well as an arc-shaped shock wave caused by the powerful stellar winds that the star breaks. The blue star near the center of this image is Zeta Ophiuchi. When seen in visible light it appears as a relatively dim red star surrounded by other dim stars and no dust. However, in this infrared image taken with Nasa's Wide - field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, a completely different view emerges. Zeta Ophiuchi is actually a very massive, hot, bright blue star plowing its way through a large cloud of interstellar dust and gas. Astronomers theorize that this stellar juggernaut was likely once part

PIX4572156

Spiral galaxy NGC 6503 in the Dragon - Spiral galaxy NGC 6503 in Draco - The dwarf spiral galaxy NGC 6503 is located about 17 million years ago - light from Earth. It spans 30,000 light years and shows many star-forming regions. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. Fresh starbirth infuses the galaxy NGC 6503 with a vital pink glow in this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. This galaxy, a smaller version of the Milky Way, is perched near a great void in space where few other galaxies reside. This new image from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys displays, with particular clarity, the pink - colored puffs marking where stars have recently formed in NGC 6503's swirling spiral arms. Although structurally similar to the Milky Way, the disc of NGC 6503 spans just 30 000 light - years, or just about a third of the size of the Milky Way, leading astronomers to classify NGC 6503 as a dwarf spiral galaxy. NGC 6503 lies approximately 17 million light - years away in the co

Spiral galaxy NGC 6503 in the Dragon - Spiral galaxy NGC 6503 in Draco - The dwarf spiral galaxy NGC 6503 is located about 17 million years ago - light from Earth. It spans 30,000 light years and shows many star-forming regions. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. Fresh starbirth infuses the galaxy NGC 6503 with a vital pink glow in this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. This galaxy, a smaller version of the Milky Way, is perched near a great void in space where few other galaxies reside. This new image from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys displays, with particular clarity, the pink - colored puffs marking where stars have recently formed in NGC 6503's swirling spiral arms. Although structurally similar to the Milky Way, the disc of NGC 6503 spans just 30 000 light - years, or just about a third of the size of the Milky Way, leading astronomers to classify NGC 6503 as a dwarf spiral galaxy. NGC 6503 lies approximately 17 million light - years away in the co

PIX4612940

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