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Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340710

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340713

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340717

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340720

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340725

Binary pulsar and gravitational waves - Artist's impression of the pulsar PSR J0348+0432 and its white dwarf companion - Artist's view of a gravitational wave generated by a system of a neutron star associated with a white dwarf, spreading on the fabric of space - time. This artist's impression shows the exotic double object that consists of a tiny, but very heavy neutron star that spins 25 times each second, orbited every two and a half hours by a white dwarf star. The neutron star is a pulsar named PSR J0348+0432 that is giving off radio waves that can be picked up on Earth by radio telescopes. Although this unusual pair is very interesting in its own right it is also a unique laboratory for testing the limits of physical theories. This system is radiating gravitational radiation, ripples in spacetime. Although these waves cannot be detected directly by astronomers on Earth they can be detected indirectly by measuring the change in the orbit of the system as it loses energy. As the p

Binary pulsar and gravitational waves - Artist's impression of the pulsar PSR J0348+0432 and its white dwarf companion - Artist's view of a gravitational wave generated by a system of a neutron star associated with a white dwarf, spreading on the fabric of space - time. This artist's impression shows the exotic double object that consists of a tiny, but very heavy neutron star that spins 25 times each second, orbited every two and a half hours by a white dwarf star. The neutron star is a pulsar named PSR J0348+0432 that is giving off radio waves that can be picked up on Earth by radio telescopes. Although this unusual pair is very interesting in its own right it is also a unique laboratory for testing the limits of physical theories. This system is radiating gravitational radiation, ripples in spacetime. Although these waves cannot be detected directly by astronomers on Earth they can be detected indirectly by measuring the change in the orbit of the system as it loses energy. As the p

PIX4572892

Carene Constellation and Southern Constellation - Constellation of Carina and southern constellations - The constellation of Carene, the Great Magellan Cloud, the southern Celestial pole, and the star Canopus. This part of the sky is best seen in the early evening between April and June. Carina the Keel, is a remnant of Argo Navis, a giant mythical sailing vessel afloat on the southern Milky Way, described elsewhere. The constellation is a delight for southern hemisphere observers, with many star clusters and nebulae visible in binoculars or modest telescopes. Some of these are quite spectacular in a large telescope. The second brightest star in the sky, Canopus (a Car) is here as is Eta Carinae, one of the most massive and unstable stars in the Galaxy. Eta is hidden in the most conspicuous nebula in Carina, NGC 3372, the Great Carina nebula. This photograph also shows the location of the south celestial pole and the Large Magellanic Cloud as well as several complete or almost complete

Carene Constellation and Southern Constellation - Constellation of Carina and southern constellations - The constellation of Carene, the Great Magellan Cloud, the southern Celestial pole, and the star Canopus. This part of the sky is best seen in the early evening between April and June. Carina the Keel, is a remnant of Argo Navis, a giant mythical sailing vessel afloat on the southern Milky Way, described elsewhere. The constellation is a delight for southern hemisphere observers, with many star clusters and nebulae visible in binoculars or modest telescopes. Some of these are quite spectacular in a large telescope. The second brightest star in the sky, Canopus (a Car) is here as is Eta Carinae, one of the most massive and unstable stars in the Galaxy. Eta is hidden in the most conspicuous nebula in Carina, NGC 3372, the Great Carina nebula. This photograph also shows the location of the south celestial pole and the Large Magellanic Cloud as well as several complete or almost complete

PIX4589528

Swan Constellation - Cygnus constellation - On the right, the bright star is Vega, in the constellation Lyra. Also visible are the constellations of the Fleche and the Petite Fox. Cygnus (the Swan), is clearly the bird flying along the northern Milky Way. Many legends refer to this distinctive constellation, including that of Zeus who disguised himself as a swan while visiting Leda, wife of the King of Sparta. This union resulted in Pollux, one of the heavenly twins. English legends see here the more prosaic outline of a flying hen in this part of the sky. Because Cygnus is in the Milky Way, it is rich in Galactic objects that are visible in binoculars and modest telescopes, notable are the enormous North America Nebula (NCG 7000) and the faint shreds of the Veil nebula, a supenova remnant that covers a patch of sky five times larger than the full Moon. Vulpecula (the Fox) is a faint constellation created by Johannes Hevelius, who called it Vulpecula Cum Anser, the Fox and Goose. Anser

Swan Constellation - Cygnus constellation - On the right, the bright star is Vega, in the constellation Lyra. Also visible are the constellations of the Fleche and the Petite Fox. Cygnus (the Swan), is clearly the bird flying along the northern Milky Way. Many legends refer to this distinctive constellation, including that of Zeus who disguised himself as a swan while visiting Leda, wife of the King of Sparta. This union resulted in Pollux, one of the heavenly twins. English legends see here the more prosaic outline of a flying hen in this part of the sky. Because Cygnus is in the Milky Way, it is rich in Galactic objects that are visible in binoculars and modest telescopes, notable are the enormous North America Nebula (NCG 7000) and the faint shreds of the Veil nebula, a supenova remnant that covers a patch of sky five times larger than the full Moon. Vulpecula (the Fox) is a faint constellation created by Johannes Hevelius, who called it Vulpecula Cum Anser, the Fox and Goose. Anser

PIX4590341

Center of the Andromede Galaxy (M31) - Center of the Andromeda galaxy - The Andromede galaxy is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. Like the lactee path, the Andromede galaxy belongs to the local group. This image obtained from the 2.5m Isaac Newton telescope of La Palma shows the central region of the galaxy where a huge mass of stars is orbiting around the nucleus. This picture covers almost half a degree of sky (about the size of the full moon), but wide angle telescopes show the galaxy to be over three degrees long at its widest. Here we see only the central part of M31, the huge mass of stars that are in orbit around its nucleus. Silhouetted against this starry background are tangled sheets and curtains of dust, very reminiscent of dust clouds we see in our own galaxy. This picture was made from three black and white glass negatives. Some care has been taken to ensure that the colours seen here are realistic

Center of the Andromede Galaxy (M31) - Center of the Andromeda galaxy - The Andromede galaxy is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. Like the lactee path, the Andromede galaxy belongs to the local group. This image obtained from the 2.5m Isaac Newton telescope of La Palma shows the central region of the galaxy where a huge mass of stars is orbiting around the nucleus. This picture covers almost half a degree of sky (about the size of the full moon), but wide angle telescopes show the galaxy to be over three degrees long at its widest. Here we see only the central part of M31, the huge mass of stars that are in orbit around its nucleus. Silhouetted against this starry background are tangled sheets and curtains of dust, very reminiscent of dust clouds we see in our own galaxy. This picture was made from three black and white glass negatives. Some care has been taken to ensure that the colours seen here are realistic

PIX4608819

Planetary nebula Dumbbell (M27) in Little Fox - Dumbell planetary nebula (M27) in Vulpecula - The planetary nebula Dumbbell (M27) is located about 1400 years - light from Earth in the constellation Little Fox. A planetary nebula is a gas shell from a small late-life star whose heart collapsed to become a white dwarf and expelled the outer layers of its matter. Composite image obtained with a 90 cm telescope, and the Hubble and Subaru telescopes. The Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC6853), is a planetary nebula located about 1200 light years from the earth in the constellation of Vulpecula. The nebula was formed when an evolved, red giant star ejected its outer envelope near the end of its lifetime. The expanding cloud of gas becomes visible once the hot core of the star, visible near the center, is exposed and the high - energy, ultraviolet light from the core ionizes the cloud. Image Composite

Planetary nebula Dumbbell (M27) in Little Fox - Dumbell planetary nebula (M27) in Vulpecula - The planetary nebula Dumbbell (M27) is located about 1400 years - light from Earth in the constellation Little Fox. A planetary nebula is a gas shell from a small late-life star whose heart collapsed to become a white dwarf and expelled the outer layers of its matter. Composite image obtained with a 90 cm telescope, and the Hubble and Subaru telescopes. The Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC6853), is a planetary nebula located about 1200 light years from the earth in the constellation of Vulpecula. The nebula was formed when an evolved, red giant star ejected its outer envelope near the end of its lifetime. The expanding cloud of gas becomes visible once the hot core of the star, visible near the center, is exposed and the high - energy, ultraviolet light from the core ionizes the cloud. Image Composite

PIX4623530

Wind emis by a Black Hole Supermassif - Artist view - Wind from Supermassive Black hole - Artist view - Wind artist's view emitted by a supermassive black hole in the center of a galaxy. These extremely strong winds could hinder star formation within the galaxy. Supermassive black holes at the cores of galaxies blast radiation and ultra-fast winds outward, as illustrated in this artist's conception. New data from NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuStar) and the European Space Agency's (ESA's) XMM-Newton telescopes show that these winds, which contain gases of highly ionized atoms, blow in a nearly spherical fashion, emanating in every direction, as shown in the artwork. The findings rule out the possibility that the winds blow in narrow beams. With the shape and extent of the winds known, the researchers were able to determine the winds' strength. The high-speed winds are powerful enough to shut down star formation throughout a galaxy

Wind emis by a Black Hole Supermassif - Artist view - Wind from Supermassive Black hole - Artist view - Wind artist's view emitted by a supermassive black hole in the center of a galaxy. These extremely strong winds could hinder star formation within the galaxy. Supermassive black holes at the cores of galaxies blast radiation and ultra-fast winds outward, as illustrated in this artist's conception. New data from NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuStar) and the European Space Agency's (ESA's) XMM-Newton telescopes show that these winds, which contain gases of highly ionized atoms, blow in a nearly spherical fashion, emanating in every direction, as shown in the artwork. The findings rule out the possibility that the winds blow in narrow beams. With the shape and extent of the winds known, the researchers were able to determine the winds' strength. The high-speed winds are powerful enough to shut down star formation throughout a galaxy

PIX4584576

Remains of supernova des Voiles - detail - Pencil nebula - NGC 2736, the Pencil nebula in Vela - Detail of the rest of the supernova des Voiles: the nebula of the pencil (NGC 2736). The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. The rest of the supernova is approximately 815 years away from Earth. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This is an outlying wisp of the Vela supernova remnant (SNR), almost the only sign of the eastern part of this vast bubble of expanding shock wave from a stellar explosion 12,000 years ago. Although clearly detected with radio and X - ray telescopes, the Vela SNR is partially hidden to optical observers. Many fine, tangled filaments are seen in the western part of the nebula, but in the east, most of it is hidden in dust. This is one of the brighter eastern fragments, and its unusual linear appearance in the telescope was remarked on by Sir John Herschel who discovered to nebula in the 1840s. This spindly shape is the source of its popular name

Remains of supernova des Voiles - detail - Pencil nebula - NGC 2736, the Pencil nebula in Vela - Detail of the rest of the supernova des Voiles: the nebula of the pencil (NGC 2736). The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. The rest of the supernova is approximately 815 years away from Earth. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This is an outlying wisp of the Vela supernova remnant (SNR), almost the only sign of the eastern part of this vast bubble of expanding shock wave from a stellar explosion 12,000 years ago. Although clearly detected with radio and X - ray telescopes, the Vela SNR is partially hidden to optical observers. Many fine, tangled filaments are seen in the western part of the nebula, but in the east, most of it is hidden in dust. This is one of the brighter eastern fragments, and its unusual linear appearance in the telescope was remarked on by Sir John Herschel who discovered to nebula in the 1840s. This spindly shape is the source of its popular name

PIX4582828

Sunset on the Cerro Paranal Observatory - Sunset on Paranal observatory, Chile, 2007. - Twice a year, the Sun sets exactly on the top of Cerro Paranal for an observer located at the top of Cerro Armazones, 20 km away. The silhouettes of three of the four 8.2m telescopes, the VST and the meteorological tower are visible. Image obtained with an astronomical bezel and a solar filter. Twice per year, the sunset passes exactly behind Paranal mountain for someone located on the summit of Armazones mountain, 20 km away (~ 12.5 miles). This picture was taken in these conditions. It clearly shows 3 of the 4 big 8m unit telescope (UT) domes (4th one is behind the others), the VST enclosure on their right and the high meteorological post with the DIMM tower on the extreme right. On the left of the picture, the partially opened dome of the smaller 1.8m Auxiliary Telescope (AT) are also visible. The image was taken with a Takahashi FS128 refractor telescope, a Canon20Da camera and special Solar fil

Sunset on the Cerro Paranal Observatory - Sunset on Paranal observatory, Chile, 2007. - Twice a year, the Sun sets exactly on the top of Cerro Paranal for an observer located at the top of Cerro Armazones, 20 km away. The silhouettes of three of the four 8.2m telescopes, the VST and the meteorological tower are visible. Image obtained with an astronomical bezel and a solar filter. Twice per year, the sunset passes exactly behind Paranal mountain for someone located on the summit of Armazones mountain, 20 km away (~ 12.5 miles). This picture was taken in these conditions. It clearly shows 3 of the 4 big 8m unit telescope (UT) domes (4th one is behind the others), the VST enclosure on their right and the high meteorological post with the DIMM tower on the extreme right. On the left of the picture, the partially opened dome of the smaller 1.8m Auxiliary Telescope (AT) are also visible. The image was taken with a Takahashi FS128 refractor telescope, a Canon20Da camera and special Solar fil

Stephane Guisard

PIX4656965

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340715

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340724

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340703

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Map of the moon by H Percy Wilkins, third edition, 1952 (technical drawing, paper)

Wilkins, H. Percy (1896-1960)

MMM7340709

Galaxy NGC 4631 in Hunting Dogs - Spiral galaxy NGC 4631 in Canes Venatici - Spiral galaxy seen by the slice located at a distance of 30 million years - light. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has peered deep into NGC 4631, better known as the Whale Galaxy. Here, a profusion of starbirth lights up the galactic centre, revealing bands of dark material between us and the starburst. The galaxy's activity tapers off in its outer regions where there are fewer stars and less dust, but these are still punctuated by pockets of star formation. The Whale Galaxy is about 30 million light - years away from us in the constellation of Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs) and is a spiral galaxy much like the Milky Way. From our vantage point, however, we see the Whale Galaxy edge - on, seeing its glowing centre through dusty spiral arms. The galaxy's central bulge and asymmetric tapering disc have suggested the shape of a whale or a herring to past

Galaxy NGC 4631 in Hunting Dogs - Spiral galaxy NGC 4631 in Canes Venatici - Spiral galaxy seen by the slice located at a distance of 30 million years - light. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has peered deep into NGC 4631, better known as the Whale Galaxy. Here, a profusion of starbirth lights up the galactic centre, revealing bands of dark material between us and the starburst. The galaxy's activity tapers off in its outer regions where there are fewer stars and less dust, but these are still punctuated by pockets of star formation. The Whale Galaxy is about 30 million light - years away from us in the constellation of Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs) and is a spiral galaxy much like the Milky Way. From our vantage point, however, we see the Whale Galaxy edge - on, seeing its glowing centre through dusty spiral arms. The galaxy's central bulge and asymmetric tapering disc have suggested the shape of a whale or a herring to past

PIX4611784

Swan Constellation - Cygnus constellation - On the right, the bright star is Vega, in the constellation Lyra. Also visible are the constellations of the Fleche and the Petite Fox. Cygnus (the Swan), is clearly the bird flying along the northern Milky Way. Many legends refer to this distinctive constellation, including that of Zeus who disguised himself as a swan while visiting Leda, wife of the King of Sparta. This union resulted in Pollux, one of the heavenly twins. English legends see here the more prosaic outline of a flying hen in this part of the sky. Because Cygnus is in the Milky Way, it is rich in Galactic objects that are visible in binoculars and modest telescopes, notable are the enormous North America Nebula (NCG 7000) and the faint shreds of the Veil nebula, a supenova remnant that covers a patch of sky five times larger than the full Moon. Vulpecula (the Fox) is a faint constellation created by Johannes Hevelius, who called it Vulpecula Cum Anser, the Fox and Goose. Anser

Swan Constellation - Cygnus constellation - On the right, the bright star is Vega, in the constellation Lyra. Also visible are the constellations of the Fleche and the Petite Fox. Cygnus (the Swan), is clearly the bird flying along the northern Milky Way. Many legends refer to this distinctive constellation, including that of Zeus who disguised himself as a swan while visiting Leda, wife of the King of Sparta. This union resulted in Pollux, one of the heavenly twins. English legends see here the more prosaic outline of a flying hen in this part of the sky. Because Cygnus is in the Milky Way, it is rich in Galactic objects that are visible in binoculars and modest telescopes, notable are the enormous North America Nebula (NCG 7000) and the faint shreds of the Veil nebula, a supenova remnant that covers a patch of sky five times larger than the full Moon. Vulpecula (the Fox) is a faint constellation created by Johannes Hevelius, who called it Vulpecula Cum Anser, the Fox and Goose. Anser

PIX4590349

Portrait of Jesse Ramsden, The Astronomical Observatory "Giuseppe Piazzi", the Pisana Tower

Portrait of Jesse Ramsden, The Astronomical Observatory "Giuseppe Piazzi", the Pisana Tower

Unknown artist, (18th-19th century)

GRL3900265

Spiral Galaxy NGC 3810 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy NGC 3810 in Leo - NGC 3810 is a spiral galaxy located at a distance of about 50 million light years in the constellation Lion. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. The bright galaxy NGC 3810 demonstrates classical spiral structure in this very detailed image from Hubble. The bright central region is thought to be forming many new stars and is outshining the outer areas of the galaxy by some margin. Further out the galaxy displays strikingly rich dust clouds along its spiral arms. A close look shows that Hubble's sharp vision also allows many individual stars to be seen. Hot young blue stars show up in giant clusters far from the center and the arms are also littered with bright red giant stars. NGC 3810 is located about 50 million light - years from Earth in the constellation of Leo (the lion). It was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 and is easily seen as a faint smudge in small telescopes

Spiral Galaxy NGC 3810 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy NGC 3810 in Leo - NGC 3810 is a spiral galaxy located at a distance of about 50 million light years in the constellation Lion. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. The bright galaxy NGC 3810 demonstrates classical spiral structure in this very detailed image from Hubble. The bright central region is thought to be forming many new stars and is outshining the outer areas of the galaxy by some margin. Further out the galaxy displays strikingly rich dust clouds along its spiral arms. A close look shows that Hubble's sharp vision also allows many individual stars to be seen. Hot young blue stars show up in giant clusters far from the center and the arms are also littered with bright red giant stars. NGC 3810 is located about 50 million light - years from Earth in the constellation of Leo (the lion). It was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 and is easily seen as a faint smudge in small telescopes

PIX4610976

Polaris - Illustration - Polaris System - Illustration - Polaris is a triple system composed of a supergiant star and two dwarf stars. It is a pulsating variable star, cepheide of low amplitude. This illustration shows the triple system of this star, Polaris A and Polaris Ab, and further on, his companion Polaris B. This is a view from within the Polaris triple star system. The North Star, Polaris A is a bright supergiant variable star.Just above Polaris is a small companion, Polaris Ab, which is 2 billion miles from Polaris. Much farther away, near the top of the illustration, is the wide companion Polaris B. Polaris B is located approximately 240 billion miles from Polaris A. The two companion stars are the same temperature as Polaris A, but are dwarf stars. The wide companion star is visible in small telescopes. It was first noticed by William Herschel in 1780. The close companion, Polaris Ab was known to exist from measurements of a wobble in Polaris, caused by the gravitational tu

Polaris - Illustration - Polaris System - Illustration - Polaris is a triple system composed of a supergiant star and two dwarf stars. It is a pulsating variable star, cepheide of low amplitude. This illustration shows the triple system of this star, Polaris A and Polaris Ab, and further on, his companion Polaris B. This is a view from within the Polaris triple star system. The North Star, Polaris A is a bright supergiant variable star.Just above Polaris is a small companion, Polaris Ab, which is 2 billion miles from Polaris. Much farther away, near the top of the illustration, is the wide companion Polaris B. Polaris B is located approximately 240 billion miles from Polaris A. The two companion stars are the same temperature as Polaris A, but are dwarf stars. The wide companion star is visible in small telescopes. It was first noticed by William Herschel in 1780. The close companion, Polaris Ab was known to exist from measurements of a wobble in Polaris, caused by the gravitational tu

PIX4572039

Star cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438 - Open cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438 - M46 (NGC 2437) is an age cluster located at 5400 years - light. It contains about 500 stars, 150 of which are brilliant. It is about 300 million years old. The planetary nebula NGC 2438 does not appear to belong to this cluster, and must be closer although its distance is unknown. M46 (NGC 2437) is a rich open star cluster in the constellation Puppis. Within a diameter of 28 arc minutes, or about 30 light - years at its distance of 5400 light - years, M46 contains over 150 bright stars and a total population perhaps over 500. M46 is probably around 300 million years old. The planetary nebula NGC 2438 is almost certainly not physically associated with M46 due to is probable evolutionary history, its significantly diffferent velocity, and a distance estimate only a little more than half the distance to M46. This skyview is corresponding to binoculars and small telescopes

Star cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438 - Open cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438 - M46 (NGC 2437) is an age cluster located at 5400 years - light. It contains about 500 stars, 150 of which are brilliant. It is about 300 million years old. The planetary nebula NGC 2438 does not appear to belong to this cluster, and must be closer although its distance is unknown. M46 (NGC 2437) is a rich open star cluster in the constellation Puppis. Within a diameter of 28 arc minutes, or about 30 light - years at its distance of 5400 light - years, M46 contains over 150 bright stars and a total population perhaps over 500. M46 is probably around 300 million years old. The planetary nebula NGC 2438 is almost certainly not physically associated with M46 due to is probable evolutionary history, its significantly diffferent velocity, and a distance estimate only a little more than half the distance to M46. This skyview is corresponding to binoculars and small telescopes

PIX4568085

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon. This photo made by the Hubble space telesope in 2002 shows the central part of the galaxy and reveals myriad stars. NGC 300 is a spiral galaxy similar to our own Milky Way galaxy. It is a member of a nearby group of galaxies known as the Sculptor group, named for the southern constellation where the group can be found. The distance to NGC 300 is 6.5 million light - years, making it one of the Milky Way's closer neighbors. At this distance, only the brightest stars can be picked out from ground - based images. With a resolution some 10 times better than ground - based telescopes, Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) resolves many more stars in this galaxy than can be detected from the ground

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon. This photo made by the Hubble space telesope in 2002 shows the central part of the galaxy and reveals myriad stars. NGC 300 is a spiral galaxy similar to our own Milky Way galaxy. It is a member of a nearby group of galaxies known as the Sculptor group, named for the southern constellation where the group can be found. The distance to NGC 300 is 6.5 million light - years, making it one of the Milky Way's closer neighbors. At this distance, only the brightest stars can be picked out from ground - based images. With a resolution some 10 times better than ground - based telescopes, Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) resolves many more stars in this galaxy than can be detected from the ground

PIX4609146

Binary pulsar and gravitational waves - Artist's impression of the pulsar PSR J0348+0432 and its white dwarf companion - Artist's view of a gravitational wave generated by a system of a neutron star associated with a white dwarf, spreading on the fabric of space - time. This artist's impression shows the exotic double object that consists of a tiny, but very heavy neutron star that spins 25 times each second, orbited every two and a half hours by a white dwarf star. The neutron star is a pulsar named PSR J0348+0432 that is giving off radio waves that can be picked up on Earth by radio telescopes. Although this unusual pair is very interesting in its own right, it is also a unique laboratory for testing the limits of physical theories. This system is radiating gravitational radiation, ripples in spacetime. Although these waves (shown as the grid in this picture) cannot be yet detected directly by astronomers on Earth they can be sensed indirectly by measuring the change in the orbit of

Binary pulsar and gravitational waves - Artist's impression of the pulsar PSR J0348+0432 and its white dwarf companion - Artist's view of a gravitational wave generated by a system of a neutron star associated with a white dwarf, spreading on the fabric of space - time. This artist's impression shows the exotic double object that consists of a tiny, but very heavy neutron star that spins 25 times each second, orbited every two and a half hours by a white dwarf star. The neutron star is a pulsar named PSR J0348+0432 that is giving off radio waves that can be picked up on Earth by radio telescopes. Although this unusual pair is very interesting in its own right, it is also a unique laboratory for testing the limits of physical theories. This system is radiating gravitational radiation, ripples in spacetime. Although these waves (shown as the grid in this picture) cannot be yet detected directly by astronomers on Earth they can be sensed indirectly by measuring the change in the orbit of

PIX4572795

Galaxy clusters Abell 1060 in Hydra - The Hydra cluster of galaxies (Abell 1060) - The galaxy in the center is the spiral galaxy NGC 3312. To its right, the brightest elliptical galaxies of this cluster: NGC 3311. The two bright stars are closer and belong to our galaxy. This splendid cluster of galaxies in Hydra is framed by two nearby, cool stars in our own Milky Way. The brightest is about 5th magnitude, visible to the unaided eye only under a dark sky; the second brightest is below naked - eye visibility. In contrast the galaxies appear featureless in all but the largest telescopes. The bluish, elongated galaxy is an edge - on spiral, NGC 3312. It has been distorted by interactions with its neighbours. They in turn have been affected, and the brightest of the two adjacent yellow elliptical galaxies (NGC 3311) has an assymetrical envelope, perhaps as a result of this encounter. It's hard to tell who is jostling who in a crowded group of galaxies such as this. Among the most interest

Galaxy clusters Abell 1060 in Hydra - The Hydra cluster of galaxies (Abell 1060) - The galaxy in the center is the spiral galaxy NGC 3312. To its right, the brightest elliptical galaxies of this cluster: NGC 3311. The two bright stars are closer and belong to our galaxy. This splendid cluster of galaxies in Hydra is framed by two nearby, cool stars in our own Milky Way. The brightest is about 5th magnitude, visible to the unaided eye only under a dark sky; the second brightest is below naked - eye visibility. In contrast the galaxies appear featureless in all but the largest telescopes. The bluish, elongated galaxy is an edge - on spiral, NGC 3312. It has been distorted by interactions with its neighbours. They in turn have been affected, and the brightest of the two adjacent yellow elliptical galaxies (NGC 3311) has an assymetrical envelope, perhaps as a result of this encounter. It's hard to tell who is jostling who in a crowded group of galaxies such as this. Among the most interest

PIX4565268

Planetary nebula NGC 5189 in the fly - This nebula is located about 3000 light years from Earth in the southern constellation of the fly. Image obtained by the Gemini and Hubble telescopes (HST). NGC 5189 is a planetary nebula. At the end of its life, a star with a mass less than eight times that of the Sun will blow its outer layers away, giving rise to a planetary nebula. Some of these stellar puffballs are almost round, resembling huge soap bubbles or giant planets (hence the name), but others, such as NGC 5189 are more intricate. In particular, this planetary nebula exhibits a curious S” - shaped profile, with a central bar that is most likely the projection of an inner ring of gas discharged by the star, seen edge on. The details of the physical processes producing such a complex symmetry from a simple, spherical star are still the object of astronomical controversy. One possibility is that the star has a very close (but unseen) companion. Over time the orbits drift due to precess

Planetary nebula NGC 5189 in the fly - This nebula is located about 3000 light years from Earth in the southern constellation of the fly. Image obtained by the Gemini and Hubble telescopes (HST). NGC 5189 is a planetary nebula. At the end of its life, a star with a mass less than eight times that of the Sun will blow its outer layers away, giving rise to a planetary nebula. Some of these stellar puffballs are almost round, resembling huge soap bubbles or giant planets (hence the name), but others, such as NGC 5189 are more intricate. In particular, this planetary nebula exhibits a curious S” - shaped profile, with a central bar that is most likely the projection of an inner ring of gas discharged by the star, seen edge on. The details of the physical processes producing such a complex symmetry from a simple, spherical star are still the object of astronomical controversy. One possibility is that the star has a very close (but unseen) companion. Over time the orbits drift due to precess

PIX4623115

Galaxy clusters Abell 1060 in Hydra - The Hydra cluster of galaxies (Abell 1060) - The galaxy in the center is the spiral galaxy NGC 3312. To its right, the brightest elliptical galaxies of this cluster: NGC 3311. The two bright stars are closer and belong to our galaxy. This splendid cluster of galaxies in Hydra is framed by two nearby, cool stars in our own Milky Way. The brightest is about 5th magnitude, visible to the unaided eye only under a dark sky; the second brightest is below naked - eye visibility. In contrast the galaxies appear featureless in all but the largest telescopes. The bluish, elongated galaxy is an edge - on spiral, NGC 3312. It has been distorted by interactions with its neighbours. They in turn have been affected, and the brightest of the two adjacent yellow elliptical galaxies (NGC 3311) has an assymetrical envelope, perhaps as a result of this encounter. It's hard to tell who is jostling who in a crowded group of galaxies such as this. Among the most interest

Galaxy clusters Abell 1060 in Hydra - The Hydra cluster of galaxies (Abell 1060) - The galaxy in the center is the spiral galaxy NGC 3312. To its right, the brightest elliptical galaxies of this cluster: NGC 3311. The two bright stars are closer and belong to our galaxy. This splendid cluster of galaxies in Hydra is framed by two nearby, cool stars in our own Milky Way. The brightest is about 5th magnitude, visible to the unaided eye only under a dark sky; the second brightest is below naked - eye visibility. In contrast the galaxies appear featureless in all but the largest telescopes. The bluish, elongated galaxy is an edge - on spiral, NGC 3312. It has been distorted by interactions with its neighbours. They in turn have been affected, and the brightest of the two adjacent yellow elliptical galaxies (NGC 3311) has an assymetrical envelope, perhaps as a result of this encounter. It's hard to tell who is jostling who in a crowded group of galaxies such as this. Among the most interest

PIX4565253

Planetary Nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius by HST - This composite image is a view of the colorful Helix Nebula taken with the Advanced Camera for Surveys aboard Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope and the Mosaic II Camera on the 4 - meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter - American Observatory in Chile. The object is so large that both telescopes were needed to capture a complete view. The Helix is a planetary nebula, the glowing gaseous envelope expelled by a dying, sun - like star. The Helix resemble a simple doughnut as seen from Earth. But looks can be deceiving. New evidence suggests that the Helix consists of two gaseous disks almost perpendicular to each other. One possible scenario for the Helix's complex structure is that the dying star has a companion star. One disk may be perpendicular to the dying star's spin axis, while the other may lie in the orbital plane of the two stars. The Helix, located 690 light - years away, is one of the closest planetary nebulas to Earth. The Hubb

Planetary Nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius by HST - This composite image is a view of the colorful Helix Nebula taken with the Advanced Camera for Surveys aboard Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope and the Mosaic II Camera on the 4 - meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter - American Observatory in Chile. The object is so large that both telescopes were needed to capture a complete view. The Helix is a planetary nebula, the glowing gaseous envelope expelled by a dying, sun - like star. The Helix resemble a simple doughnut as seen from Earth. But looks can be deceiving. New evidence suggests that the Helix consists of two gaseous disks almost perpendicular to each other. One possible scenario for the Helix's complex structure is that the dying star has a companion star. One disk may be perpendicular to the dying star's spin axis, while the other may lie in the orbital plane of the two stars. The Helix, located 690 light - years away, is one of the closest planetary nebulas to Earth. The Hubb

PIX4623671

Galileo Galile ishowing the Doge Leonardo Donato and the Venetian Senate, 1754 (painting)

Galileo Galile ishowing the Doge Leonardo Donato and the Venetian Senate, 1754 (painting)

PFH3085856

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it will observe at wa

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it will observe at wa

D. Ducros

PIX4646098

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched in 2009, studies the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems in the infrared. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) studies the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory is bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it observes at wavelengths never covered b

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched in 2009, studies the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems in the infrared. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) studies the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory is bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it observes at wavelengths never covered b

C. Carreau

PIX4646124

Spiral Galaxy M51 in Hunting Dogs and Supernova - The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) in Canes Venatici with SN 2005cs - The spiral galaxy M51 (NGC 5194) is located about 37 million years ago - light from Earth. This galaxy is double; two galaxies interact: the largest, NGC 5194, the smallest NGC 5195. On June 28, 2005 a supernova of type II appeared in M51; this supernova (SN 2005cs) is visible just under the nucleus, in the first arm. Image obtained with two telescopes of 50 cm and 30 cm, composite of several poses. The Whirlpool Galaxy lies approximately 31 million light years from earth. This spectacular galaxy is paired with a smaller, more distant companion whose matter is being disrupted by the larger spiral in a gravitational tug of war. Eventually, the shape of both will be altered over many more millions of years. On June 28, 2005, a new star was noticed in this galaxy. It was confirmed to be a bright supernova, one of the brightest in recent years and similar to the brightest superno

Spiral Galaxy M51 in Hunting Dogs and Supernova - The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) in Canes Venatici with SN 2005cs - The spiral galaxy M51 (NGC 5194) is located about 37 million years ago - light from Earth. This galaxy is double; two galaxies interact: the largest, NGC 5194, the smallest NGC 5195. On June 28, 2005 a supernova of type II appeared in M51; this supernova (SN 2005cs) is visible just under the nucleus, in the first arm. Image obtained with two telescopes of 50 cm and 30 cm, composite of several poses. The Whirlpool Galaxy lies approximately 31 million light years from earth. This spectacular galaxy is paired with a smaller, more distant companion whose matter is being disrupted by the larger spiral in a gravitational tug of war. Eventually, the shape of both will be altered over many more millions of years. On June 28, 2005, a new star was noticed in this galaxy. It was confirmed to be a bright supernova, one of the brightest in recent years and similar to the brightest superno

R. Jay GaBany

PIX4612380

Stars on the SIRENE Observatory - Star trails above the amateur observatory SIRENE - France - Several decades of military presence have limited urban settlements and thus light pollution on the Albion plateau. This photographic pose of over an hour, showing the rotation of the stars of the constellations of Cassiopee and Persee above the domes of the SIRENE observatory, testifying to the absence of genant halos of light. As far as the horizon is concerned, one can even guess a few peaks of the Alps, which glow slightly under the light of a gibbous Moon. During the installation, the nightlife of an active observation site was recorded: the domes rotated, the telescopes moved, red lamps were lit to read maps or set instruments, and an animator used a green laser to design a few stars for the public. One hour exposure star trails above the SIRENE amateur observatory in Luberon (Vaucluse - France). Located on the Albion plateau, an ancient military base, this place is well preserved from l

Stars on the SIRENE Observatory - Star trails above the amateur observatory SIRENE - France - Several decades of military presence have limited urban settlements and thus light pollution on the Albion plateau. This photographic pose of over an hour, showing the rotation of the stars of the constellations of Cassiopee and Persee above the domes of the SIRENE observatory, testifying to the absence of genant halos of light. As far as the horizon is concerned, one can even guess a few peaks of the Alps, which glow slightly under the light of a gibbous Moon. During the installation, the nightlife of an active observation site was recorded: the domes rotated, the telescopes moved, red lamps were lit to read maps or set instruments, and an animator used a green laser to design a few stars for the public. One hour exposure star trails above the SIRENE amateur observatory in Luberon (Vaucluse - France). Located on the Albion plateau, an ancient military base, this place is well preserved from l

G. Cannat

PIX4566785

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it will observe at wa

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it will observe at wa

D. Ducros

PIX4646142

The cluster of stars Pismis 24 in the Scorpio - Pismis 24 star cluster in Scorpius - This image shows the cluster of young stars Pismis 24, located about 8000 years - light in the nebula NGC 6357 of the Scorpio. This cluster is home to some of the most massive stars known to date. Image made with the 1.5m Danish telescope of La Silla in Chile in 2009. Located near the famous “” Cat Paw”” nebula (NGC 6334), the Stellar Cluster Pismis 24 lies at the core of NGC 6357. Its stars include some of the most massive stellar behemoths known. One of the brightest stars in the cluster, Pismis 24 - 1, was thought possibly to be the most massive on record, approaching 300 solar masses, until it was discovered by the Hubble Telescope to be a triple star, with large components exceeding 100 solar masses. Several of the other central stars also exceed 100 solar masses. The nebulosity visible in the image shows the effects of intense radiation which has sculpted the clouds into curious shapes. Massive p

The cluster of stars Pismis 24 in the Scorpio - Pismis 24 star cluster in Scorpius - This image shows the cluster of young stars Pismis 24, located about 8000 years - light in the nebula NGC 6357 of the Scorpio. This cluster is home to some of the most massive stars known to date. Image made with the 1.5m Danish telescope of La Silla in Chile in 2009. Located near the famous “” Cat Paw”” nebula (NGC 6334), the Stellar Cluster Pismis 24 lies at the core of NGC 6357. Its stars include some of the most massive stellar behemoths known. One of the brightest stars in the cluster, Pismis 24 - 1, was thought possibly to be the most massive on record, approaching 300 solar masses, until it was discovered by the Hubble Telescope to be a triple star, with large components exceeding 100 solar masses. Several of the other central stars also exceed 100 solar masses. The nebulosity visible in the image shows the effects of intense radiation which has sculpted the clouds into curious shapes. Massive p

PIX4569042

Italy: Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642), Italian physicist, mathematician, philosopher and astronomer. 19th century statue outside the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. Sculpted by Aristodemo Costoli. (2016)

Italy: Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642), Italian physicist, mathematician, philosopher and astronomer. 19th century statue outside the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. Sculpted by Aristodemo Costoli. (2016)

David Henley

PFH3614516

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 fairing with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observa

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 fairing with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observa

D. Ducros

PIX4646125

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 stage with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched on 14 May 2009, is studying in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 stage with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched on 14 May 2009, is studying in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory

D. Ducros

PIX4646153

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 fairing with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched on 14 May 2009, is studying in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observato

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 fairing with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched on 14 May 2009, is studying in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observato

D. Ducros

PIX4646169

Polaris System - Polaris is a triple system consisting of a supergiant star and two dwarf stars. It is a pulsating variable star, cepheide of low amplitude. This montage shows the polar star and constellations of the Little Bear and the Big Bear (left), Polaris A and his companion Polaris B seen by the Hubble Space Telescope (top right), and Polaris Ab photographed for the first time by the Hubble Space Telescope (bottom right). This sequence of images shows that the North Star, Polaris is really a triple star system. For the first time, the close companion of Polaris has been seen directly. The left frame shows Polaris's location very close to the position of Earth's north celestial pole in Ursa Minor (the Small Bear). The upper right image shows Polaris A and its distant companion Polaris B, as viewed by Hubble. They are separated by approximately 240 billion miles. Polaris B, the wide companion, is visible in small telescopes, and was first noticed by William Herschel in 1780. The c

Polaris System - Polaris is a triple system consisting of a supergiant star and two dwarf stars. It is a pulsating variable star, cepheide of low amplitude. This montage shows the polar star and constellations of the Little Bear and the Big Bear (left), Polaris A and his companion Polaris B seen by the Hubble Space Telescope (top right), and Polaris Ab photographed for the first time by the Hubble Space Telescope (bottom right). This sequence of images shows that the North Star, Polaris is really a triple star system. For the first time, the close companion of Polaris has been seen directly. The left frame shows Polaris's location very close to the position of Earth's north celestial pole in Ursa Minor (the Small Bear). The upper right image shows Polaris A and its distant companion Polaris B, as viewed by Hubble. They are separated by approximately 240 billion miles. Polaris B, the wide companion, is visible in small telescopes, and was first noticed by William Herschel in 1780. The c

PIX4572025

Black hole collision in NGC 6240 - Black holes colliding in NGC 6240 - The galaxy NGC 6240, is located about 400 million light years away from Earth in the constellation Ophiuchus. This system consists of two colliding galaxies each with a central black hole; in several millions of years, they will form only one galaxy. A composite X-ray image (red, orange and yellow) and visible from the space telescopes Chandra and Hubble. This image of NGC 6240 contains X - ray data from Chandra (shown in red, orange, and yellow) that has been combined with an optical image from the Hubble Space Telescope. In 2002, the discovery of two merging black holes was announced based on Chandra data in this galaxy. The two black holes are a mere 3,000 light years apart and are seen as the bright point - like sources in the middle of the image. Scientists think these black holes are in such close proximity because they are in the midst of spiraling toward each other - a process that began about 30 million yea

Black hole collision in NGC 6240 - Black holes colliding in NGC 6240 - The galaxy NGC 6240, is located about 400 million light years away from Earth in the constellation Ophiuchus. This system consists of two colliding galaxies each with a central black hole; in several millions of years, they will form only one galaxy. A composite X-ray image (red, orange and yellow) and visible from the space telescopes Chandra and Hubble. This image of NGC 6240 contains X - ray data from Chandra (shown in red, orange, and yellow) that has been combined with an optical image from the Hubble Space Telescope. In 2002, the discovery of two merging black holes was announced based on Chandra data in this galaxy. The two black holes are a mere 3,000 light years apart and are seen as the bright point - like sources in the middle of the image. Scientists think these black holes are in such close proximity because they are in the midst of spiraling toward each other - a process that began about 30 million yea

PIX4612910

Star field in the constellation Sagittarius - Scattered stars in Sagittarius: Stars in Sagittarius seen by the space telescope Hubble. This stunning image, captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), shows part of the sky in the constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer). The region is rendered in exquisite detail - deep red and bright blue stars are scattered across the frame, set against a background of thousands of more distant stars and galaxies. Two features are particularly striking: the colours of the stars, and the dramatic crosses that burst from the centres of the brightest bodies. While some of the colours in this frame have been enhanced and tweaked during the process of creating the image from the observational data, different stars do indeed glow in different colours. Stars differ in colour according to their surface temperature: very hot stars are blue or white, while cooler stars are redder. They may be cooler because they are sma

Star field in the constellation Sagittarius - Scattered stars in Sagittarius: Stars in Sagittarius seen by the space telescope Hubble. This stunning image, captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), shows part of the sky in the constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer). The region is rendered in exquisite detail - deep red and bright blue stars are scattered across the frame, set against a background of thousands of more distant stars and galaxies. Two features are particularly striking: the colours of the stars, and the dramatic crosses that burst from the centres of the brightest bodies. While some of the colours in this frame have been enhanced and tweaked during the process of creating the image from the observational data, different stars do indeed glow in different colours. Stars differ in colour according to their surface temperature: very hot stars are blue or white, while cooler stars are redder. They may be cooler because they are sma

PIX4572253

Herschel Satellite - Illustration - Herschel Satellite. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Infrared astronomy is as young as it is fruitful. In less than three decades infrared astronomers have unveiled tens of thousands of new galaxies, and have made discoveries as surprising as the huge amounts of water vapour that fill the galaxy. Yet scientists know there is still much more to d

Herschel Satellite - Illustration - Herschel Satellite. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Infrared astronomy is as young as it is fruitful. In less than three decades infrared astronomers have unveiled tens of thousands of new galaxies, and have made discoveries as surprising as the huge amounts of water vapour that fill the galaxy. Yet scientists know there is still much more to d

PIX4646048

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1097 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1097 in Fornax - Located at a distance of about 45 million years - light, NGC 1097 is the object of intense star formation and is an active core galaxy with a supermassive black hole in its heart. At the top right of the image, a special elliptical satellite galaxy, NGC 1097A, probably interacted with NGC 1097 in the past. Image obtained by combining several poses of several hours. Located at a distance of about 45 million light - years in the southern constellation Fornax, NGC 1097 is a relatively bright, barred spiral galaxy of type SBB, seen face - on. At magnitude 9.5, and thus just 25 times fainter than the faintest object that can be seen with the unaided eye, it appears in small telescopes as a bright, circular disc. NGC 1097 is an acive galaxy with an Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), whose emission is thought to arise from matter (gas and stars) falling into oblivion in a central black hole. There is indeed mu

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1097 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1097 in Fornax - Located at a distance of about 45 million years - light, NGC 1097 is the object of intense star formation and is an active core galaxy with a supermassive black hole in its heart. At the top right of the image, a special elliptical satellite galaxy, NGC 1097A, probably interacted with NGC 1097 in the past. Image obtained by combining several poses of several hours. Located at a distance of about 45 million light - years in the southern constellation Fornax, NGC 1097 is a relatively bright, barred spiral galaxy of type SBB, seen face - on. At magnitude 9.5, and thus just 25 times fainter than the faintest object that can be seen with the unaided eye, it appears in small telescopes as a bright, circular disc. NGC 1097 is an acive galaxy with an Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), whose emission is thought to arise from matter (gas and stars) falling into oblivion in a central black hole. There is indeed mu

PIX4609641

Star cluster IC 1590 in NGC 281 (Cassiopee) - Open cluster and Bok globules in NGC 281 - View of a detail in the center of the nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopee. The brightest stars of the open cluster IC 1590 are visible, accompanied by Bok's blood cells, dark interstellar clouds consisting of gas and dust that absorb light. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Astronomers have used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to study the young open star cluster IC 1590, which is found within the star formation region NGC 281 - - nicknamed the Pacman Nebula due to its resemblance to the famous arcade game character. This image only shows the central part of the nebula, where the brightest stars at the core of the cluster are found, with part of the Pacman's hungry mouth visible as the dark region below. But Pacman isn't gobbling up these stars. Instead, the nebula's gas and dust are being used as raw ingredients to make new stars. However, the stars in IC 1590 are still plotting thei

Star cluster IC 1590 in NGC 281 (Cassiopee) - Open cluster and Bok globules in NGC 281 - View of a detail in the center of the nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopee. The brightest stars of the open cluster IC 1590 are visible, accompanied by Bok's blood cells, dark interstellar clouds consisting of gas and dust that absorb light. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Astronomers have used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to study the young open star cluster IC 1590, which is found within the star formation region NGC 281 - - nicknamed the Pacman Nebula due to its resemblance to the famous arcade game character. This image only shows the central part of the nebula, where the brightest stars at the core of the cluster are found, with part of the Pacman's hungry mouth visible as the dark region below. But Pacman isn't gobbling up these stars. Instead, the nebula's gas and dust are being used as raw ingredients to make new stars. However, the stars in IC 1590 are still plotting thei

PIX4617504

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

Herschel Satellite - Illustration - Herschel Satellite. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Infrared astronomy is as young as it is fruitful. In less than three decades infrared astronomers have unveiled tens of thousands of new galaxies, and have made discoveries as surprising as the huge amounts of water vapour that fill the galaxy. Yet scientists know there is still much more to d

Herschel Satellite - Illustration - Herschel Satellite. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Infrared astronomy is as young as it is fruitful. In less than three decades infrared astronomers have unveiled tens of thousands of new galaxies, and have made discoveries as surprising as the huge amounts of water vapour that fill the galaxy. Yet scientists know there is still much more to d

PIX4646040

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1097 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1097 in Fornax - Located at a distance of about 45 million years - light, NGC 1097 is the object of intense star formation and is an active core galaxy with a supermassive black hole in its heart. A special elliptical satellite galaxy, NGC 1097A, probably interacted with NGC 1097 in the past. Image obtained by combining several poses of several hours. Located at a distance of about 45 million light - years in the southern constellation Fornax, NGC 1097 is a relatively bright, barred spiral galaxy of type SBB, seen face - on. At magnitude 9.5, and thus just 25 times fainter than the faintest object that can be seen with the unaided eye, it appears in small telescopes as a bright, circular disc. NGC 1097 is an active galaxy with an Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), whose emission is thought to arise from matter (gas and stars) falling into oblivion in a central black hole. There is indeed much evidence that a supermassiv

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1097 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1097 in Fornax - Located at a distance of about 45 million years - light, NGC 1097 is the object of intense star formation and is an active core galaxy with a supermassive black hole in its heart. A special elliptical satellite galaxy, NGC 1097A, probably interacted with NGC 1097 in the past. Image obtained by combining several poses of several hours. Located at a distance of about 45 million light - years in the southern constellation Fornax, NGC 1097 is a relatively bright, barred spiral galaxy of type SBB, seen face - on. At magnitude 9.5, and thus just 25 times fainter than the faintest object that can be seen with the unaided eye, it appears in small telescopes as a bright, circular disc. NGC 1097 is an active galaxy with an Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), whose emission is thought to arise from matter (gas and stars) falling into oblivion in a central black hole. There is indeed much evidence that a supermassiv

R. Gendler

PIX4609650

Swan Lace - detail - This delicate Hubble Space Telescope image shows a tiny portion of the Cygnus loop, a supernova remnant in the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan. Measurements on this super - detailed image of a cosmic veil shows that the original supernova explosion took place only 5000 years ago. The Cygnus loop, also known as the Veil Nebula, is well - known to amateur astronomers as a challenging target for larger telescopes. It has a diameter of about 3 degrees (corresponding to 6 full moons). This spectacular nebula was created when a massive star ended its days in an immense supernova explosion. A bubble of dust and gas was expelled into space and has continued to expand outwards ever since. The Cygnus Loop consists of two main arcs, designated NGC 6992/95 for the Eastern arc and NGC 6960 for the Western arc (also called the Witch's Broom Nebula). The tiny area of the Hubble image is seen in the upper left - hand corner of the nebula, at the outer edge of one of the large fi

Swan Lace - detail - This delicate Hubble Space Telescope image shows a tiny portion of the Cygnus loop, a supernova remnant in the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan. Measurements on this super - detailed image of a cosmic veil shows that the original supernova explosion took place only 5000 years ago. The Cygnus loop, also known as the Veil Nebula, is well - known to amateur astronomers as a challenging target for larger telescopes. It has a diameter of about 3 degrees (corresponding to 6 full moons). This spectacular nebula was created when a massive star ended its days in an immense supernova explosion. A bubble of dust and gas was expelled into space and has continued to expand outwards ever since. The Cygnus Loop consists of two main arcs, designated NGC 6992/95 for the Eastern arc and NGC 6960 for the Western arc (also called the Witch's Broom Nebula). The tiny area of the Hubble image is seen in the upper left - hand corner of the nebula, at the outer edge of one of the large fi

PIX4582633

Sirius A and Sirius B in the Big Dog - Sirius A and Sirius B seen in X - ray - Sirius A and Sirius B in the Big Dog seen in X-ray by the Chandra telescope. The brightest source on this image is Sirius B, a white dwarf star whose surface, heated at a temperature of 25,000 degres, emits huge X-rays. The other point is Sirius A, the brightest star in the sky in visible light, but practically non-existent in this wavelength. An X - ray image of the Sirius star system located 8.6 light years from Earth. This image shows two sources and a spike - like pattern due to the support structure for the transmission grating. The bright source is Sirius B, a white dwarf star that has a surface temperature of about 25,000 degrees Celsius which produces very low energy X - rays. The dim source at the position of Sirius A, a normal star more than twice as massive as the Sun, may be due to ultraviolet radiation from Sirius A leaking through the filter on the detector. In contrast, Sirius A is the brighte

Sirius A and Sirius B in the Big Dog - Sirius A and Sirius B seen in X - ray - Sirius A and Sirius B in the Big Dog seen in X-ray by the Chandra telescope. The brightest source on this image is Sirius B, a white dwarf star whose surface, heated at a temperature of 25,000 degres, emits huge X-rays. The other point is Sirius A, the brightest star in the sky in visible light, but practically non-existent in this wavelength. An X - ray image of the Sirius star system located 8.6 light years from Earth. This image shows two sources and a spike - like pattern due to the support structure for the transmission grating. The bright source is Sirius B, a white dwarf star that has a surface temperature of about 25,000 degrees Celsius which produces very low energy X - rays. The dim source at the position of Sirius A, a normal star more than twice as massive as the Sun, may be due to ultraviolet radiation from Sirius A leaking through the filter on the detector. In contrast, Sirius A is the brighte

PIX4571724

Spiral galaxy NGC 2683 in Lynx - Spiral galaxy NGC 2683 in Lynx - Spiral galaxy NGC 2683 distant about 16 million years - light in the constellation Lynx. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). NGC 2683 is a spiral galaxy seen almost edge - on, giving it the shape of a classic science fiction spaceship. The delicate dusty lanes of the spiral arms are silhouetted against the golden haze of the galaxy's core. In addition, brilliant clusters of young blue stars shine scattered throughout the disc, mapping the galaxy's star - forming regions. Perhaps surprisingly, side - on views of galaxies like this one do not prevent astronomers from deducing their structures. Studies of the properties of the light coming from NGC 2683 suggest that this is a barred spiral galaxy, even though the angle we see it at does not let us see this directly. NGC 2683, discovered on 5 February 1788 by the famous astronomer William Herschel, lies in the Northern constellation of Lynx. A constellation n

Spiral galaxy NGC 2683 in Lynx - Spiral galaxy NGC 2683 in Lynx - Spiral galaxy NGC 2683 distant about 16 million years - light in the constellation Lynx. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). NGC 2683 is a spiral galaxy seen almost edge - on, giving it the shape of a classic science fiction spaceship. The delicate dusty lanes of the spiral arms are silhouetted against the golden haze of the galaxy's core. In addition, brilliant clusters of young blue stars shine scattered throughout the disc, mapping the galaxy's star - forming regions. Perhaps surprisingly, side - on views of galaxies like this one do not prevent astronomers from deducing their structures. Studies of the properties of the light coming from NGC 2683 suggest that this is a barred spiral galaxy, even though the angle we see it at does not let us see this directly. NGC 2683, discovered on 5 February 1788 by the famous astronomer William Herschel, lies in the Northern constellation of Lynx. A constellation n

PIX4610165

Abell 2218 galaxy cluster in the Dragon - Gravitational lenses in the galaxy cluster Abell 2218 - The Abell 2218 galaxy cluster is located about 2 billion years ago - light from Earth in the constellation of the Dragon. It is so massive that its gravity curved and amplifies the light from other galaxies located behind it. Thus, these galaxies appear on this cliche obtained by the Hubble space telescope in the form of arcs. Abell 2218 resides in the constellation Draco, some 2 billion light - years from Earth. The cluster is so massive that its enormous gravitational field deflects light rays passing through it, much as an optical lens bends light to form an image. This phenomenon, called gravitational lensing, magnifies, brightens, and distorts images from faraway objects. The cluster's magnifying powers provides a powerful “” zoom lens”” for viewing distant galaxies that could not normally be observed with the largest telescopes. This useful phenomenon has produced the arc - shaped pa

Abell 2218 galaxy cluster in the Dragon - Gravitational lenses in the galaxy cluster Abell 2218 - The Abell 2218 galaxy cluster is located about 2 billion years ago - light from Earth in the constellation of the Dragon. It is so massive that its gravity curved and amplifies the light from other galaxies located behind it. Thus, these galaxies appear on this cliche obtained by the Hubble space telescope in the form of arcs. Abell 2218 resides in the constellation Draco, some 2 billion light - years from Earth. The cluster is so massive that its enormous gravitational field deflects light rays passing through it, much as an optical lens bends light to form an image. This phenomenon, called gravitational lensing, magnifies, brightens, and distorts images from faraway objects. The cluster's magnifying powers provides a powerful “” zoom lens”” for viewing distant galaxies that could not normally be observed with the largest telescopes. This useful phenomenon has produced the arc - shaped pa

PIX4565631

Andromede and Triangle Constellations - Constellations of Andromeda and Triangulum - The constellation of Andromede begins at the brilliant star Alpheratz, or Alpha Andromedae, one of the corners of the great square of Pegase. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the picture, on the right, and is located about 97 light years away from Earth. Mirach star, in the center of the image, is a giant red star situated about 200 years ago - light. The galaxy of Andromede, M31, is visible at the top of the picture. At the bottom of the mage, in the middle, the galaxy M33. The large open cluster NGC 752 is at the bottom left. The constellations of Andromeda, the Princess, and Triangulum, the Triangle, point the way to several deep - sky delights in the fall sky. Andromeda begins at the bright star Alpheratz, or Alpha Andromedae, one of the corners of the great square of Pegasus. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the image, near the right side of the frame and is located about 97 light years away f

Andromede and Triangle Constellations - Constellations of Andromeda and Triangulum - The constellation of Andromede begins at the brilliant star Alpheratz, or Alpha Andromedae, one of the corners of the great square of Pegase. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the picture, on the right, and is located about 97 light years away from Earth. Mirach star, in the center of the image, is a giant red star situated about 200 years ago - light. The galaxy of Andromede, M31, is visible at the top of the picture. At the bottom of the mage, in the middle, the galaxy M33. The large open cluster NGC 752 is at the bottom left. The constellations of Andromeda, the Princess, and Triangulum, the Triangle, point the way to several deep - sky delights in the fall sky. Andromeda begins at the bright star Alpheratz, or Alpha Andromedae, one of the corners of the great square of Pegasus. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the image, near the right side of the frame and is located about 97 light years away f

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4588973

Planetary nebula NGC 6543 in the Dragon - Planetary nebula NGC 6543 in Draco - Composite view of the planetary nebula NGC 6543 in the Dragon obtained by the Hubble space telescope and X-ray (blue) by the Chandra satellite. NGC 6543 is located about 3000 years of light from Earth. This composite of data from Nasa's Chandra X - ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope is a new look for NGC 6543, better known as the Cat's Eye nebula. This famous object is a so - called planetary nebula that represents a phase of stellar evolution that the Sun should experience several billion years from now. When a star like the Sun begins to run out of fuel, it becomes what is known as a red giant. In this phase, a star sheds some of its outer layers, eventually leaving behind a hot core that collapses to form a dense white dwarf star. A fast wind emanating from the hot core rams into the ejected atmosphere, pushes it outward, and creates the graceful filamentary structures seen with optical telescopes

Planetary nebula NGC 6543 in the Dragon - Planetary nebula NGC 6543 in Draco - Composite view of the planetary nebula NGC 6543 in the Dragon obtained by the Hubble space telescope and X-ray (blue) by the Chandra satellite. NGC 6543 is located about 3000 years of light from Earth. This composite of data from Nasa's Chandra X - ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope is a new look for NGC 6543, better known as the Cat's Eye nebula. This famous object is a so - called planetary nebula that represents a phase of stellar evolution that the Sun should experience several billion years from now. When a star like the Sun begins to run out of fuel, it becomes what is known as a red giant. In this phase, a star sheds some of its outer layers, eventually leaving behind a hot core that collapses to form a dense white dwarf star. A fast wind emanating from the hot core rams into the ejected atmosphere, pushes it outward, and creates the graceful filamentary structures seen with optical telescopes

PIX4623257

Andromede and Triangle Constellations - Constellations of Andromeda and Triangulum - The constellation of Andromede begins at the brilliant star Alpheratz, or Alpha Andromedae, one of the corners of the great square of Pegase. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the picture, on the right, and is located about 97 light years away from Earth. Mirach star, in the center of the image, is a giant red star situated about 200 years ago - light. The galaxy of Andromede, M31, is visible at the top of the picture. At the bottom of the mage, in the middle, the galaxy M33. The large open cluster NGC 752 is at the bottom left. The constellations of Andromeda, the Princess, and Triangulum, the Triangle, point the way to several deep - sky delights in the fall sky. Andromeda begins at the bright star Alpheratz, or Alpha Andromedae, one of the corners of the great square of Pegasus. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the image, near the right side of the frame and is located about 97 light years away f

Andromede and Triangle Constellations - Constellations of Andromeda and Triangulum - The constellation of Andromede begins at the brilliant star Alpheratz, or Alpha Andromedae, one of the corners of the great square of Pegase. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the picture, on the right, and is located about 97 light years away from Earth. Mirach star, in the center of the image, is a giant red star situated about 200 years ago - light. The galaxy of Andromede, M31, is visible at the top of the picture. At the bottom of the mage, in the middle, the galaxy M33. The large open cluster NGC 752 is at the bottom left. The constellations of Andromeda, the Princess, and Triangulum, the Triangle, point the way to several deep - sky delights in the fall sky. Andromeda begins at the bright star Alpheratz, or Alpha Andromedae, one of the corners of the great square of Pegasus. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the image, near the right side of the frame and is located about 97 light years away f

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4588980

Remnants of the Crab Supernova (M1) in the Taurus - This is a mosaic image, one of the largest ever taken by Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope of the Crab Nebula, a six - light - year - wide expanding remnant of a star's supernova explosion. Japanese and Chinese astronomers recorded this violent event nearly 1,000 years ago in 1054, as did, almost certainly, Native Americans. The orange filaments are the tattered remains of the star and consist mostly of hydrogen. The rapidly spinning neutron star embedded in the center of the nebula is the dynamo powering the nebula's eerie interior bluish glow. The blue light comes from electrons whirling at nearly the speed of light around magnetic field lines from the neutron star. The neutron star, like a lighthouse, ejects twin beams of radiation that appear to pulse 30 times a second due to the neutron star's rotation. A neutron star is the crushed ultra - dense core of the exploded star. The Crab Nebula derived its name from its appearance in a dra

Remnants of the Crab Supernova (M1) in the Taurus - This is a mosaic image, one of the largest ever taken by Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope of the Crab Nebula, a six - light - year - wide expanding remnant of a star's supernova explosion. Japanese and Chinese astronomers recorded this violent event nearly 1,000 years ago in 1054, as did, almost certainly, Native Americans. The orange filaments are the tattered remains of the star and consist mostly of hydrogen. The rapidly spinning neutron star embedded in the center of the nebula is the dynamo powering the nebula's eerie interior bluish glow. The blue light comes from electrons whirling at nearly the speed of light around magnetic field lines from the neutron star. The neutron star, like a lighthouse, ejects twin beams of radiation that appear to pulse 30 times a second due to the neutron star's rotation. A neutron star is the crushed ultra - dense core of the exploded star. The Crab Nebula derived its name from its appearance in a dra

PIX4583010

Centaurus A Elliptical Galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaur - Galaxy Centaurus A - The NGC 5128 galaxy is about 11 million years away - light from Earth. This image from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) shows the star flames that occur in the dark band of the 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. Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is well known for its dramatic dusty lanes of dark material. Hubble's observations, using its most advanced instrument, the Wide Field Camera 3, are the most detailed ever made of this galaxy. They have been combined here in a multi - wavelength image that reveals never - before - seen detail in the dusty portion of the galaxy. As well as features in the visible spectrum, this composite shows ultraviolet light from young stars, and near - infrared light, which lets us glimpse some of the detail otherwise obscured by the dust. The dark dust lane that cr

Centaurus A Elliptical Galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaur - Galaxy Centaurus A - The NGC 5128 galaxy is about 11 million years away - light from Earth. This image from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) shows the star flames that occur in the dark band of the 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. Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is well known for its dramatic dusty lanes of dark material. Hubble's observations, using its most advanced instrument, the Wide Field Camera 3, are the most detailed ever made of this galaxy. They have been combined here in a multi - wavelength image that reveals never - before - seen detail in the dusty portion of the galaxy. As well as features in the visible spectrum, this composite shows ultraviolet light from young stars, and near - infrared light, which lets us glimpse some of the detail otherwise obscured by the dust. The dark dust lane that cr

PIX4612191

Planetary nebula NGC 6302 in Scorpio - Planetary nebula NGC 6302 in Scorpius - NGC 6302 is a planetary nebula located about 4000 years from Earth. In the center of the nebula, an extremely hot dying star. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope with the new WFC 3 (Wide Field Camera 3) camera, July 27, 2009. A dying star that was once about five times the mass of the Sun is at the center of this nebula. It has ejected its envelope of gases and is now unleashing a stream of ultraviolet radiation that is making the cast - off material glow. This object is an example of a planetary nebula, so - named because many of them have a round appearance resembling that of a planet when viewed through a small telescope. The Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), a new camera aboard Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope, snapped this image of the planetary nebula, catalogued as NGC 6302, but more popularly called the Bug Nebula or the Butterfly Nebula. WFC3 was installed by NASA astronauts in May 2009, during the

Planetary nebula NGC 6302 in Scorpio - Planetary nebula NGC 6302 in Scorpius - NGC 6302 is a planetary nebula located about 4000 years from Earth. In the center of the nebula, an extremely hot dying star. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope with the new WFC 3 (Wide Field Camera 3) camera, July 27, 2009. A dying star that was once about five times the mass of the Sun is at the center of this nebula. It has ejected its envelope of gases and is now unleashing a stream of ultraviolet radiation that is making the cast - off material glow. This object is an example of a planetary nebula, so - named because many of them have a round appearance resembling that of a planet when viewed through a small telescope. The Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), a new camera aboard Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope, snapped this image of the planetary nebula, catalogued as NGC 6302, but more popularly called the Bug Nebula or the Butterfly Nebula. WFC3 was installed by NASA astronauts in May 2009, during the

PIX4623200

Galaxy cluster Abell 2667 - Galaxy cluster Abell 2667 - In this image of the galaxy cluster Abell 2667, a spiral galaxy, at the top left of the image, seems to leave a trail of gas and stars in its wake. Attracted by the high gravity of Abell 2667, this “galaxy - comete” plunges into the cluster at a speed of 3.5 million km/h, losing its gas and young stars. This phenomene may explain the presence of isolated stars in the centre of galaxy clusters. On the right, a further galaxy appears as a gravitational arc. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 2001. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, in collaboration with several other ground - and space - based telescopes, has captured a galaxy being ripped apart by a galaxy cluster's gravitational field and harsh environment. The finding sheds light on the mysterious process by which gas - rich spiral - shaped galaxies might evolve into gas - poor irregular - or elliptical - shaped galaxies over billions of years. The new obse

Galaxy cluster Abell 2667 - Galaxy cluster Abell 2667 - In this image of the galaxy cluster Abell 2667, a spiral galaxy, at the top left of the image, seems to leave a trail of gas and stars in its wake. Attracted by the high gravity of Abell 2667, this “galaxy - comete” plunges into the cluster at a speed of 3.5 million km/h, losing its gas and young stars. This phenomene may explain the presence of isolated stars in the centre of galaxy clusters. On the right, a further galaxy appears as a gravitational arc. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 2001. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, in collaboration with several other ground - and space - based telescopes, has captured a galaxy being ripped apart by a galaxy cluster's gravitational field and harsh environment. The finding sheds light on the mysterious process by which gas - rich spiral - shaped galaxies might evolve into gas - poor irregular - or elliptical - shaped galaxies over billions of years. The new obse

PIX4565700

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