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Celestial Globe Gores, 1636-95 (paper, copper plate, engraving)

Celestial Globe Gores, 1636-95 (paper, copper plate, engraving)

Rossi, Domenico de' (1659-1730)

MMM7340779

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 4945 in Centaurus - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 4945 in Centaurus - The barree spiral galaxy NGC 4945 is located about 13 million years away - light from Earth. This image was obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This is one of many peculiar galaxies that populate the large southern constellation of Centaurus. This remarkable spiral galaxy seen almost edge - on, and the spiral structure is chaotic and difficult to discern. In part this is because the galaxy is itself extremely dusty, and it is seen through dust in the Milky Way. These effects together account for its yellowish hue, though patches of bluish stars can be seen. The dust in NGC 4945 absorbs most of the visible light, especially the blue light from the numerous bright stars known present within the galaxy. This energy is re - radiated at infrared wavelengths, which penetrate dust more readily, which is why the galaxy is found to be unusually bright in the infrared

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 4945 in Centaurus - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 4945 in Centaurus - The barree spiral galaxy NGC 4945 is located about 13 million years away - light from Earth. This image was obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This is one of many peculiar galaxies that populate the large southern constellation of Centaurus. This remarkable spiral galaxy seen almost edge - on, and the spiral structure is chaotic and difficult to discern. In part this is because the galaxy is itself extremely dusty, and it is seen through dust in the Milky Way. These effects together account for its yellowish hue, though patches of bluish stars can be seen. The dust in NGC 4945 absorbs most of the visible light, especially the blue light from the numerous bright stars known present within the galaxy. This energy is re - radiated at infrared wavelengths, which penetrate dust more readily, which is why the galaxy is found to be unusually bright in the infrared

PIX4612044

Supernova Sn 2004dj in galaxy NGC 2403 - Supernova Sn 2004dj in galaxy NGC 2403 - The supenova Sn 2004dj (visible on the left, in the middle of the picture) shines like 200 million Sun. This star is located in the galaxy NGC 2403, a galaxy 11 million years apart - light. Before exploding into a Type II supernova, the star was a star 15 times more massive than the Sun. The other bright stars visible in the image belong to our lactee path. Composite images obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the Subaru Telescope. The explosion of a massive star blazes with the light of 200 million Suns in this image. The supernova is so bright in this image that it easily could be mistaken for a foreground star in our Milky Way Galaxy. And yet, this supernova, called SN 2004dj (middle left), resides far beyond our galaxy. Its home is in the outskirts of NGC 2403, a galaxy located 11 million light - years from Earth. Although the supernova is far from Earth, it is the closest stellar explos

Supernova Sn 2004dj in galaxy NGC 2403 - Supernova Sn 2004dj in galaxy NGC 2403 - The supenova Sn 2004dj (visible on the left, in the middle of the picture) shines like 200 million Sun. This star is located in the galaxy NGC 2403, a galaxy 11 million years apart - light. Before exploding into a Type II supernova, the star was a star 15 times more massive than the Sun. The other bright stars visible in the image belong to our lactee path. Composite images obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the Subaru Telescope. The explosion of a massive star blazes with the light of 200 million Suns in this image. The supernova is so bright in this image that it easily could be mistaken for a foreground star in our Milky Way Galaxy. And yet, this supernova, called SN 2004dj (middle left), resides far beyond our galaxy. Its home is in the outskirts of NGC 2403, a galaxy located 11 million light - years from Earth. Although the supernova is far from Earth, it is the closest stellar explos

PIX4582450

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

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

PIX4572084

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

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

PIX4565206

Spiral galaxy M33 in the Triangle - Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum - M33, (NGC 598), the galaxy of the Triangle, is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. In red, star-forming regions appear. Also known as M33 or NGC 598, the Triangulum Galaxy is part of the Local Group of galaxies, which includes the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and our galaxy, the Milky Way. M33 is over thirty thousand light - years across, and more than two million light - years away. The optical data in this image show the many stars within the galaxy as well as reddish star forming regions that are filled with hot hydrogen gas. Hot, massive stars which recently formed in M33 give the galaxy its bluish color. The reddish areas are nebulae in the galaxy in which stars are rapidly forming

Spiral galaxy M33 in the Triangle - Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum - M33, (NGC 598), the galaxy of the Triangle, is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. In red, star-forming regions appear. Also known as M33 or NGC 598, the Triangulum Galaxy is part of the Local Group of galaxies, which includes the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and our galaxy, the Milky Way. M33 is over thirty thousand light - years across, and more than two million light - years away. The optical data in this image show the many stars within the galaxy as well as reddish star forming regions that are filled with hot hydrogen gas. Hot, massive stars which recently formed in M33 give the galaxy its bluish color. The reddish areas are nebulae in the galaxy in which stars are rapidly forming

R. Gendler

PIX4609238

Galaxy of the Wheel of the Charette in the Sculptor - The Cartwheel Galaxy - The ring galaxy of the Wheel of the Charette is about 500 million years away - light from Earth. It is surrounded by a ring of 150,000 years - light of diameter composed of young and very bright stars (detail at the top left). This particular form is the result of a collision, probably with one of the two galaxies on the right. Bottom left, close-up on the nucleus of the galaxy. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 1994. A rare and spectacular head - on collision between two galaxies appears in this NASA Hubble Space Telescope true - color image of the Cartwheel Galaxy, located 500 million light - years away in the constellation Sculptor. The details of star birth resolved by Hubble provide an opportunity to study how extremely massive stars are born in large fragmented gas clouds. The striking ring - like feature is a direct result of a smaller intruder galaxy - - possibly one of two object

Galaxy of the Wheel of the Charette in the Sculptor - The Cartwheel Galaxy - The ring galaxy of the Wheel of the Charette is about 500 million years away - light from Earth. It is surrounded by a ring of 150,000 years - light of diameter composed of young and very bright stars (detail at the top left). This particular form is the result of a collision, probably with one of the two galaxies on the right. Bottom left, close-up on the nucleus of the galaxy. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 1994. A rare and spectacular head - on collision between two galaxies appears in this NASA Hubble Space Telescope true - color image of the Cartwheel Galaxy, located 500 million light - years away in the constellation Sculptor. The details of star birth resolved by Hubble provide an opportunity to study how extremely massive stars are born in large fragmented gas clouds. The striking ring - like feature is a direct result of a smaller intruder galaxy - - possibly one of two object

PIX4613572

Galaxy UGC 9618 in Bovier - Galaxy UGC 9618 in Botes - The galaxy UGC 9618, also called VV 340 or Arp 302, is about 450 million years away from Earth. It is a pair of interacting spiral galaxies, VV 340A (view from the edge, bottom) and VV 340B (view from the front, top). Massive stars are formed in abundance. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in January 2002. UGC 9618, also known as VV 340 or Arp 302 consists of a pair of very gas - rich spiral galaxies in their early stages of interaction: VV 340A is seen edge - on to the left, and VV 340B face - on to the right. An enormous amount of infrared light is radiated by the gas from massive stars that are forming at a rate similar to the most vigorous giant star - forming regions in our own Milky Way. UGC 9618 is 450 million light - years away from Earth, and is the 302nd galaxy in ARP's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies

Galaxy UGC 9618 in Bovier - Galaxy UGC 9618 in Botes - The galaxy UGC 9618, also called VV 340 or Arp 302, is about 450 million years away from Earth. It is a pair of interacting spiral galaxies, VV 340A (view from the edge, bottom) and VV 340B (view from the front, top). Massive stars are formed in abundance. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in January 2002. UGC 9618, also known as VV 340 or Arp 302 consists of a pair of very gas - rich spiral galaxies in their early stages of interaction: VV 340A is seen edge - on to the left, and VV 340B face - on to the right. An enormous amount of infrared light is radiated by the gas from massive stars that are forming at a rate similar to the most vigorous giant star - forming regions in our own Milky Way. UGC 9618 is 450 million light - years away from Earth, and is the 302nd galaxy in ARP's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies

PIX4613610

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in Fornax - NGC 1365 is a barree spiral galaxy that extends over 200,000 years - light. Located 60 million years ago - light, it belongs to the cluster of galaxies of the Furnace. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1365, the largest spiral in the southern constellation of Fornax, is located at a distance of about 60 million light years. This beautiful galaxy is about as massive as the Milky Way, itself a substantial galaxy. Not much is known about how galaxies take on their beautiful forms, but a good deal is known about their internal organisation. The obvious 'bar' has the nucleus of the galaxy at its hub and is surrounded by masses of cooler stars that appear yellow on colour photographs. The bar itself is also yellowish, and has distinct dust lanes but it terminates abruptly in slender, curved arms that are lit by blue stars and the pink star - forming regions from which they spring

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in Fornax - NGC 1365 is a barree spiral galaxy that extends over 200,000 years - light. Located 60 million years ago - light, it belongs to the cluster of galaxies of the Furnace. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1365, the largest spiral in the southern constellation of Fornax, is located at a distance of about 60 million light years. This beautiful galaxy is about as massive as the Milky Way, itself a substantial galaxy. Not much is known about how galaxies take on their beautiful forms, but a good deal is known about their internal organisation. The obvious 'bar' has the nucleus of the galaxy at its hub and is surrounded by masses of cooler stars that appear yellow on colour photographs. The bar itself is also yellowish, and has distinct dust lanes but it terminates abruptly in slender, curved arms that are lit by blue stars and the pink star - forming regions from which they spring

PIX4609870

Sunset Peak startrail, 2014 (digital photo)

Sunset Peak startrail, 2014 (digital photo)

Wong, Chap Him (21st century)

MMM7339134

Spiral galaxy NGC 3949 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy NGC 3949 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy NGC 3949 is located about 50 million years away - light from Earth. This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 2001. Like our Milky Way, this galaxy has a blue disk of young stars peppered with bright pink star - birth regions. In contrast to the blue disk, the bright central bulge is made up of mostly older, redder stars. NGC 3949 lies about 50 million light - years from Earth. It is a member of a loose cluster of some six or seven dozens of galaxies located in the direction of the Big Dipper, in the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear). It is one of the larger galaxies of this cluster. This image was created from Hubble data taken with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 in October 2001. Separate exposures through blue, visible, and near - infrared filters have been combined to make the natural color picture

Spiral galaxy NGC 3949 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy NGC 3949 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy NGC 3949 is located about 50 million years away - light from Earth. This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 2001. Like our Milky Way, this galaxy has a blue disk of young stars peppered with bright pink star - birth regions. In contrast to the blue disk, the bright central bulge is made up of mostly older, redder stars. NGC 3949 lies about 50 million light - years from Earth. It is a member of a loose cluster of some six or seven dozens of galaxies located in the direction of the Big Dipper, in the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear). It is one of the larger galaxies of this cluster. This image was created from Hubble data taken with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 in October 2001. Separate exposures through blue, visible, and near - infrared filters have been combined to make the natural color picture

PIX4610979

Remains of Supernova N49 dans la Dorade/HST - Resembling the puffs of smoke and sparks from a summer fireworks display in this image from Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope, these delicate filaments are actually sheets of debris from a stellar explosion in a neighboring galaxy. Hubble's target was a supernova remnant within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby, small companion galaxy to the Milky Way visible from the southern hemisphere. Denoted N 49, or DEM L 190, this remnant is from a massive star that died in a supernova blast whose light would have reached Earth thousands of years ago. This filamentary material will eventually be recycled into building new generations of stars in the LMC. Our own Sun and planets are constructed from similar debris of supernovae that exploded in the Milky Way billions of years ago. This seemingly gentle structure also harbors a very powerful spinning neutron star that may be the central remnant from the initial blast. It is quite common for the co

Remains of Supernova N49 dans la Dorade/HST - Resembling the puffs of smoke and sparks from a summer fireworks display in this image from Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope, these delicate filaments are actually sheets of debris from a stellar explosion in a neighboring galaxy. Hubble's target was a supernova remnant within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby, small companion galaxy to the Milky Way visible from the southern hemisphere. Denoted N 49, or DEM L 190, this remnant is from a massive star that died in a supernova blast whose light would have reached Earth thousands of years ago. This filamentary material will eventually be recycled into building new generations of stars in the LMC. Our own Sun and planets are constructed from similar debris of supernovae that exploded in the Milky Way billions of years ago. This seemingly gentle structure also harbors a very powerful spinning neutron star that may be the central remnant from the initial blast. It is quite common for the co

PIX4582891

Hubble deep field north - Hubble Deep Field North - North of the constellation of the Great Bear, the Hubble space telescope posed 75h to obtain this image of the distant universe. More than 1500 galaxies distant from 1 to 12 billion years - light are visible in this image. From Earth, the target field is the one “” that one would see through the eye of a needle held at arm's length.” If the distribution of galaxies over the entire Celestial vault were similar to this field, the number of galaxies observable up to magnitude 30 would be 50 billion. Representing a narrow “” keyhole”” view all the way to the visible horizon of the universe, the HDF image covers a speck of sky 1/30th the diameter of the full Moon. This is so narrow, just a few foreground stars in our Milky Way galaxy are visible and are vastly outnumbered by the menagerie of far more distant galaxies, some nearly as faint as 30th magnitude, or nearly four billion times fainter than the limits of human vision. Although the

Hubble deep field north - Hubble Deep Field North - North of the constellation of the Great Bear, the Hubble space telescope posed 75h to obtain this image of the distant universe. More than 1500 galaxies distant from 1 to 12 billion years - light are visible in this image. From Earth, the target field is the one “” that one would see through the eye of a needle held at arm's length.” If the distribution of galaxies over the entire Celestial vault were similar to this field, the number of galaxies observable up to magnitude 30 would be 50 billion. Representing a narrow “” keyhole”” view all the way to the visible horizon of the universe, the HDF image covers a speck of sky 1/30th the diameter of the full Moon. This is so narrow, just a few foreground stars in our Milky Way galaxy are visible and are vastly outnumbered by the menagerie of far more distant galaxies, some nearly as faint as 30th magnitude, or nearly four billion times fainter than the limits of human vision. Although the

PIX4613757

Star cluster in the nebula NGC 3603 - Star cluster in NGC 3603 nebula - Cluster of young stars in the nebula NGC 3603, located about 20,000 years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Carene. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in August and December 2009. NGC 3603 is a prominent star - forming region located in the Carina spiral arm of the Milky Way, about 20,000 light - years away from our Solar System. This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows a young star cluster surrounded by a vast region of dust and gas. Most of the bright stars in the image are hot blue stars whose ultraviolet radiation and violent winds have blown out an enormous cavity in the gas and dust enveloping the cluster. This Hubble Space Telescope image was captured in August 2009 and December 2009 with the Wide Field Camera 3 in both visible and infrared light, which trace the glow of sulfur, hydrogen, and iron

Star cluster in the nebula NGC 3603 - Star cluster in NGC 3603 nebula - Cluster of young stars in the nebula NGC 3603, located about 20,000 years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Carene. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in August and December 2009. NGC 3603 is a prominent star - forming region located in the Carina spiral arm of the Milky Way, about 20,000 light - years away from our Solar System. This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows a young star cluster surrounded by a vast region of dust and gas. Most of the bright stars in the image are hot blue stars whose ultraviolet radiation and violent winds have blown out an enormous cavity in the gas and dust enveloping the cluster. This Hubble Space Telescope image was captured in August 2009 and December 2009 with the Wide Field Camera 3 in both visible and infrared light, which trace the glow of sulfur, hydrogen, and iron

PIX4619158

Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - This galaxy measures about 80,000 years - light and is 30 million years away - light. Image obtained with a 50 cm telescope, composite of several poses. M74 is located roughly 30 million light - years away in the direction of the constellation Pisces, the Fish. It is the dominant member of a small group of about half a dozen galaxies, the M74 galaxy group. In its entirety, it is estimated that M74 is home to about 100 billion stars, making it slightly smaller than our Milky Way. Its perfectly symmetrical spiral arms emanate from the central nucleus and are dotted with clusters of young blue stars and glowing pink regions of ionized hydrogen (hydrogen atoms that have lost their electrons). These regions of star formation show an excess of light at ultraviolet wavelengths. Tracing along the spiral arms are winding dust lanes that also begin very near the galaxy's nucleus and follow along the length of the spiral arms

Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - This galaxy measures about 80,000 years - light and is 30 million years away - light. Image obtained with a 50 cm telescope, composite of several poses. M74 is located roughly 30 million light - years away in the direction of the constellation Pisces, the Fish. It is the dominant member of a small group of about half a dozen galaxies, the M74 galaxy group. In its entirety, it is estimated that M74 is home to about 100 billion stars, making it slightly smaller than our Milky Way. Its perfectly symmetrical spiral arms emanate from the central nucleus and are dotted with clusters of young blue stars and glowing pink regions of ionized hydrogen (hydrogen atoms that have lost their electrons). These regions of star formation show an excess of light at ultraviolet wavelengths. Tracing along the spiral arms are winding dust lanes that also begin very near the galaxy's nucleus and follow along the length of the spiral arms

R. Jay GaBany

PIX4609387

Supernova Sn 2004dj in the galaxy NGC 2403 - The explosion of a massive star blazes with the light of 200 million Suns in this NASA Hubble Space Telescope image. The supernova is so bright in this image that it easily could be mistaken for a foreground star in our Milky Way Galaxy. And yet, this supernova, called SN 2004dj, resides far beyond our galaxy. Its home is in the outskirts of NGC 2403, a galaxy located 11 million light - years from Earth. Although the supernova is far from Earth, it is the closest stellar explosion discovered in more than a decade. The star that became SN 2004dj may have been about 15 times as massive as the Sun, and only about 14 million years old. (Massive stars live much shorter lives than the Sun; they have more fuel to “” burn”” through nuclear fusion, but they use it up at a disproportionately faster rate.) The large number of massive stars in NGC 2403 leads to a high supernova rate. Two other supernovae have been seen in this galaxy during the past hal

Supernova Sn 2004dj in the galaxy NGC 2403 - The explosion of a massive star blazes with the light of 200 million Suns in this NASA Hubble Space Telescope image. The supernova is so bright in this image that it easily could be mistaken for a foreground star in our Milky Way Galaxy. And yet, this supernova, called SN 2004dj, resides far beyond our galaxy. Its home is in the outskirts of NGC 2403, a galaxy located 11 million light - years from Earth. Although the supernova is far from Earth, it is the closest stellar explosion discovered in more than a decade. The star that became SN 2004dj may have been about 15 times as massive as the Sun, and only about 14 million years old. (Massive stars live much shorter lives than the Sun; they have more fuel to “” burn”” through nuclear fusion, but they use it up at a disproportionately faster rate.) The large number of massive stars in NGC 2403 leads to a high supernova rate. Two other supernovae have been seen in this galaxy during the past hal

PIX4582457

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

Center of the Andromede Galaxy (M31) - Center of the Andromeda galaxy - The Andromede galaxy is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. Two satellite galaxies accompany it: M32 (NGC 221) on the left and M110 (NGC 205) (off-field). Like the lactee path, the Andromede galaxy belongs to the local group, making up about thirty galaxies. Andromeda is the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way Galaxy. Our Galaxy is thought to look much like Andromeda. Together these two galaxies dominate the Local Group of galaxies. The diffuse light from Andromeda is caused by the hundreds of billions of stars that compose it. The several distinct stars that surround Andromeda's image are actually stars in our Galaxy that are well in front of the background object. M31 is so distant it takes about two million years for light to reach us from there. Much about M31 remains unknown, including how the center acquired two nuclei

Center of the Andromede Galaxy (M31) - Center of the Andromeda galaxy - The Andromede galaxy is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. Two satellite galaxies accompany it: M32 (NGC 221) on the left and M110 (NGC 205) (off-field). Like the lactee path, the Andromede galaxy belongs to the local group, making up about thirty galaxies. Andromeda is the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way Galaxy. Our Galaxy is thought to look much like Andromeda. Together these two galaxies dominate the Local Group of galaxies. The diffuse light from Andromeda is caused by the hundreds of billions of stars that compose it. The several distinct stars that surround Andromeda's image are actually stars in our Galaxy that are well in front of the background object. M31 is so distant it takes about two million years for light to reach us from there. Much about M31 remains unknown, including how the center acquired two nuclei

R. Gendler

PIX4608837

Nebula NGC 7129 in Cephee - Grand Champ - Nebula NGC 7129 in Cepheus - Wide field - Nebula reflexion located 3300 years - light of the Earth. This nebula houses very young stars, aged less than a million years old. NGC 7129 is a young compact star forming region which displays an unusual patchwork of colorful nebulosity and bright stars contrasted against the dust clouds of the Milky Way. NGC 7129 contains several bright reflection nebulae including the large blue reflection cloud NGC 7133 and the unusual small yellow reflection cloud LBN 497. The dominant blue reflection nebula, NGC 7133 is illuminated by two young B - type stars BD+65* 1637 and BD+65* 1638. Both stars are less than one million years old and represent the core of NGC 7129, a small cluster of low mass stars which populate the 36 light year wide cavity

Nebula NGC 7129 in Cephee - Grand Champ - Nebula NGC 7129 in Cepheus - Wide field - Nebula reflexion located 3300 years - light of the Earth. This nebula houses very young stars, aged less than a million years old. NGC 7129 is a young compact star forming region which displays an unusual patchwork of colorful nebulosity and bright stars contrasted against the dust clouds of the Milky Way. NGC 7129 contains several bright reflection nebulae including the large blue reflection cloud NGC 7133 and the unusual small yellow reflection cloud LBN 497. The dominant blue reflection nebula, NGC 7133 is illuminated by two young B - type stars BD+65* 1637 and BD+65* 1638. Both stars are less than one million years old and represent the core of NGC 7129, a small cluster of low mass stars which populate the 36 light year wide cavity

Tom Davis

PIX4620597

Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in the Pneumatic Machine - Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in Antlia - NGC 2997 is a spiral galaxy distant about 55 million years - light. NGC 2997 seems to be a galaxy seen from the front but in reality is inclined by about 45 degrees. Its arms are home to large star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. The disc of NGC 2997 is inclined at about 45 degrees to our line of sight, revealing its internal structure and giving the galaxy an oval appearance. Like most spirals, the galaxy has two prominent spiral arms, which appear to originate in the yellow nucleus, are peppered with bright red blobs of ionised hydrogen which are similar to regions of star formation in our own Milky Way. Within these gas clouds are produced the hot blue stars which generate most of the light in the arms of the galaxy. A much older population of yellowish stars are concentrated around the nucleus. NGC 2997 is located about 55 million light year from us

Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in the Pneumatic Machine - Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in Antlia - NGC 2997 is a spiral galaxy distant about 55 million years - light. NGC 2997 seems to be a galaxy seen from the front but in reality is inclined by about 45 degrees. Its arms are home to large star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. The disc of NGC 2997 is inclined at about 45 degrees to our line of sight, revealing its internal structure and giving the galaxy an oval appearance. Like most spirals, the galaxy has two prominent spiral arms, which appear to originate in the yellow nucleus, are peppered with bright red blobs of ionised hydrogen which are similar to regions of star formation in our own Milky Way. Within these gas clouds are produced the hot blue stars which generate most of the light in the arms of the galaxy. A much older population of yellowish stars are concentrated around the nucleus. NGC 2997 is located about 55 million light year from us

PIX4610295

Spiral galaxies NGC 3314 A and B in Hydra - Galaxy pair NGC 3314 in Hydra - NGC 3314 is a pair of spiral galaxies distant about 140 million years - Earth light. These galaxies are not interacting but just perfectly aligned in front of each other from Earth. Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope shows a rare view of a pair of overlapping galaxies, called NGC 3314. The two galaxies look as if they are colliding, but they are actually separated by tens of millions of light - years, or about ten times the distance between our Milky Way and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy. The chance alignment of the two galaxies, as seen from Earth, gives a unique look at the silhouetted spiral arms in the closer face - on spiral, NGC 3314A. The motion of the two galaxies indicates that they are both relatively undisturbed and that they are moving in markedly different directions. The color composite was produced from exposures taken in blue and red light with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys. The pair of gal

Spiral galaxies NGC 3314 A and B in Hydra - Galaxy pair NGC 3314 in Hydra - NGC 3314 is a pair of spiral galaxies distant about 140 million years - Earth light. These galaxies are not interacting but just perfectly aligned in front of each other from Earth. Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope shows a rare view of a pair of overlapping galaxies, called NGC 3314. The two galaxies look as if they are colliding, but they are actually separated by tens of millions of light - years, or about ten times the distance between our Milky Way and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy. The chance alignment of the two galaxies, as seen from Earth, gives a unique look at the silhouetted spiral arms in the closer face - on spiral, NGC 3314A. The motion of the two galaxies indicates that they are both relatively undisturbed and that they are moving in markedly different directions. The color composite was produced from exposures taken in blue and red light with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys. The pair of gal

PIX4610568

Nebula NGC 7129 in Cephee: Nebula by reflexion located 3300 light years from Earth. This nebula houses very young stars, aged less than a million years old. - NGC 7129 is a young compact star forming region which displays an unusual patchwork of colorful nebulosity and bright stars contrasted against the dust clouds of the Milky Way. NGC 7129 contains several bright reflection nebulae including the large blue reflection cloud NGC 7133 and the unusual small yellow reflection cloud LBN497. Also conspicuous in the field are several bright Herbig-Haro objects, the signatures of young stellar objects soon to emerge in the main sequence. The dominant blue reflection nebula, NGC 7133 is illuminated by two young B-type stars BD+65* 1637 and BD+65* 1638. Both stars are less than one million years old and represent the core of NGC 7129, a small cluster of low mass stars which populate the 36 light year wide cavity

Nebula NGC 7129 in Cephee: Nebula by reflexion located 3300 light years from Earth. This nebula houses very young stars, aged less than a million years old. - NGC 7129 is a young compact star forming region which displays an unusual patchwork of colorful nebulosity and bright stars contrasted against the dust clouds of the Milky Way. NGC 7129 contains several bright reflection nebulae including the large blue reflection cloud NGC 7133 and the unusual small yellow reflection cloud LBN497. Also conspicuous in the field are several bright Herbig-Haro objects, the signatures of young stellar objects soon to emerge in the main sequence. The dominant blue reflection nebula, NGC 7133 is illuminated by two young B-type stars BD+65* 1637 and BD+65* 1638. Both stars are less than one million years old and represent the core of NGC 7129, a small cluster of low mass stars which populate the 36 light year wide cavity

PIX4620599

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

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

PIX4618887

Nebulae B175 and VDB 152 in Cephee - Dark nebula B175 and reflection nebula VDB 152 - Located about 1400 years ago - light in the constellation Cephee, a large dust trail leads to a bluish nebula. This is the dark nebula, Barnard 175, which faces the nebula by reflexion VDB 152 (Ced 201). The reflection nebula vdB 152 is really very faint. It lies about 1400 light - years away, along the northern Milky Way in the constellation Cepheus. Near the edge of a large molecular cloud, pockets of cosmic dust in the region block light from background stars or scatter light from the embedded bright star (top) giving parts of the nebula a characteristic blue color. Ultraviolet light from the star is also thought to cause a dim reddish luminescence in the nebular dust. Although stars do form in molecular clouds, this star seems to have only accidentally wandered into the area, as its measured velocity through interstellar space is very different from the cloud's velocity

Nebulae B175 and VDB 152 in Cephee - Dark nebula B175 and reflection nebula VDB 152 - Located about 1400 years ago - light in the constellation Cephee, a large dust trail leads to a bluish nebula. This is the dark nebula, Barnard 175, which faces the nebula by reflexion VDB 152 (Ced 201). The reflection nebula vdB 152 is really very faint. It lies about 1400 light - years away, along the northern Milky Way in the constellation Cepheus. Near the edge of a large molecular cloud, pockets of cosmic dust in the region block light from background stars or scatter light from the embedded bright star (top) giving parts of the nebula a characteristic blue color. Ultraviolet light from the star is also thought to cause a dim reddish luminescence in the nebular dust. Although stars do form in molecular clouds, this star seems to have only accidentally wandered into the area, as its measured velocity through interstellar space is very different from the cloud's velocity

Tom Davis

PIX4621253

Irregular Galaxy of the Little Magellan Cloud (NGC 292) - The Small Magellanic Cloud - The galaxy of the Little Magellan Cloud is about 240,000 light years from Earth in the southern constellation of Toucan. It's one of the closest galaxies of the Lactee Way. Infrared image obtained by Spitzer space telescope. This infrared portrait of the Small Magellanic Cloud, taken by Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope, reveals the stars and dust in this galaxy as never seen before. The Small Magellanic Cloud is a nearby satellite galaxy to our Milky Way galaxy, approximately 200,000 light - years away. The image shows the main body of the Small Magellanic Cloud, which is comprised of the “” bar”” on the left and a “” wing”” extending to the right. The bar contains both old stars (in blue) and young stars lighting up their natal dust (green/red). The wing mainly contains young stars. In addition, the image contains a galactic globular cluster in the lower left (blue cluster of stars) and emission from

Irregular Galaxy of the Little Magellan Cloud (NGC 292) - The Small Magellanic Cloud - The galaxy of the Little Magellan Cloud is about 240,000 light years from Earth in the southern constellation of Toucan. It's one of the closest galaxies of the Lactee Way. Infrared image obtained by Spitzer space telescope. This infrared portrait of the Small Magellanic Cloud, taken by Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope, reveals the stars and dust in this galaxy as never seen before. The Small Magellanic Cloud is a nearby satellite galaxy to our Milky Way galaxy, approximately 200,000 light - years away. The image shows the main body of the Small Magellanic Cloud, which is comprised of the “” bar”” on the left and a “” wing”” extending to the right. The bar contains both old stars (in blue) and young stars lighting up their natal dust (green/red). The wing mainly contains young stars. In addition, the image contains a galactic globular cluster in the lower left (blue cluster of stars) and emission from

PIX4613420

Elliptical Galaxy M60 in Virgo - Elliptical galaxy M60 in Virgo - Elliptical galaxy M60 (NGC 4649) located in the Virgo cluster of galaxies. At right is the spiral galaxy NGC 4647. The peculiar galaxy pair is called Arp 116. The faint bluish spiral galaxy NGC 4647 is about two - thirds of M60 in size and much lower in mass - - roughly the size of our galaxy, the Milky Way. M60 lies roughly 54 million light - years away from Earth; NGC 4647 is about 63 million light - years away. M60 is the third brightest galaxy in the Virgo cluster of galaxies, a collection of more than 1,300 galaxies. M60 has a diameter of 120,000 light - years, and a mass of about one trillion times that of the Sun. A huge black hole of 4.5 billion solar masses lies at its center, one of the most massive black holes ever found. This image combines exposures from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys and Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2

Elliptical Galaxy M60 in Virgo - Elliptical galaxy M60 in Virgo - Elliptical galaxy M60 (NGC 4649) located in the Virgo cluster of galaxies. At right is the spiral galaxy NGC 4647. The peculiar galaxy pair is called Arp 116. The faint bluish spiral galaxy NGC 4647 is about two - thirds of M60 in size and much lower in mass - - roughly the size of our galaxy, the Milky Way. M60 lies roughly 54 million light - years away from Earth; NGC 4647 is about 63 million light - years away. M60 is the third brightest galaxy in the Virgo cluster of galaxies, a collection of more than 1,300 galaxies. M60 has a diameter of 120,000 light - years, and a mass of about one trillion times that of the Sun. A huge black hole of 4.5 billion solar masses lies at its center, one of the most massive black holes ever found. This image combines exposures from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys and Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2

PIX4611796

Center of the Trifid Nebula (M20) - Center of the Trifid Nebula - The Trifid Nebula (M20) is located between 5000 and 10,000 years - light of the Earth in the constellation of Sagittarius. This image obtained by the Hubble space telescope shows the center of this nebula. A group of bright stars is visible in the center of the image near the dark bands of interstellar dust. These stars are young, blue, massive and extremely hot stars; they are O-type stars and the radiation they emit influence the evolution and structure of the nebula. Trifid Nebula, also known as Messier 20 and NGC 6514, lies within our own Milky Way Galaxy between 5000 and 10 000 light - years from Earth, in the constellation Sagittarius. This image from the Hubble Space Telescope offers a close - up view of the center of the Trifid Nebula, near the intersection of the dust bands, where a group of recently formed, massive, bright stars is easily visible. These stars, which astronomers classify as belonging to the hott

Center of the Trifid Nebula (M20) - Center of the Trifid Nebula - The Trifid Nebula (M20) is located between 5000 and 10,000 years - light of the Earth in the constellation of Sagittarius. This image obtained by the Hubble space telescope shows the center of this nebula. A group of bright stars is visible in the center of the image near the dark bands of interstellar dust. These stars are young, blue, massive and extremely hot stars; they are O-type stars and the radiation they emit influence the evolution and structure of the nebula. Trifid Nebula, also known as Messier 20 and NGC 6514, lies within our own Milky Way Galaxy between 5000 and 10 000 light - years from Earth, in the constellation Sagittarius. This image from the Hubble Space Telescope offers a close - up view of the center of the Trifid Nebula, near the intersection of the dust bands, where a group of recently formed, massive, bright stars is easily visible. These stars, which astronomers classify as belonging to the hott

PIX4619552

Globular cluster Terzan 5 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster Terzan 5 in Sagittarius - The globular cluster Terzan 5 is located in the constellation Sagittarius. Its stars are not all at the same time and show great age differences between 6 and 12 billion years. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Deep within the Milky Way lies the ancient globular cluster Terzan 5. This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows the cluster in wonderful detail, but it is the chaotic motions of its stars that make it particularly interesting to astronomers. Terzan 5 has an exceptionally dense core. As a result, it is thought to have one of the highest stellar collision rates for a globular cluster. And packed in at such close quarters, many stars are pushed so close together that they form tight binary systems. Interestingly, studies of individual stars within the cluster reveal that they can be split into two age groups: 6 and 12 billion years old. Some astronomers have hypothesised t

Globular cluster Terzan 5 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster Terzan 5 in Sagittarius - The globular cluster Terzan 5 is located in the constellation Sagittarius. Its stars are not all at the same time and show great age differences between 6 and 12 billion years. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Deep within the Milky Way lies the ancient globular cluster Terzan 5. This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows the cluster in wonderful detail, but it is the chaotic motions of its stars that make it particularly interesting to astronomers. Terzan 5 has an exceptionally dense core. As a result, it is thought to have one of the highest stellar collision rates for a globular cluster. And packed in at such close quarters, many stars are pushed so close together that they form tight binary systems. Interestingly, studies of individual stars within the cluster reveal that they can be split into two age groups: 6 and 12 billion years old. Some astronomers have hypothesised t

PIX4565214

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

Open cluster M93 (NGC 2447) in Puppis - Open cluster M93 (NGC 2447) in Puppis - M93 (NGC 2447) is a cluster of age stars located 3000 years - light. Image obtained by the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring In March, 1871 Charles Messier noted as number 93 in his famous catalogue this conspicuous group as a cluster of small stars. It was one of the last objects that Messier himself listed though he lived until 1817. The cluster is in the southern constellation of Puppis (known to Messier as Argo Puppis) and is in a rich part of the Milky Way, almost on the Galactic equator. The group is quite compact and is on the threshold of naked - eye visibility under good conditions. It is at a distance of over 3000 light years. About 80 stars have been identified as being members of the cluster, however, as in most open clusters, a mere handful contribute most of the light, reflecting the broad distribution of stellar luminosities (and thus stellar masses) found in objects of this kind. M93 is at the

Open cluster M93 (NGC 2447) in Puppis - Open cluster M93 (NGC 2447) in Puppis - M93 (NGC 2447) is a cluster of age stars located 3000 years - light. Image obtained by the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring In March, 1871 Charles Messier noted as number 93 in his famous catalogue this conspicuous group as a cluster of small stars. It was one of the last objects that Messier himself listed though he lived until 1817. The cluster is in the southern constellation of Puppis (known to Messier as Argo Puppis) and is in a rich part of the Milky Way, almost on the Galactic equator. The group is quite compact and is on the threshold of naked - eye visibility under good conditions. It is at a distance of over 3000 light years. About 80 stars have been identified as being members of the cluster, however, as in most open clusters, a mere handful contribute most of the light, reflecting the broad distribution of stellar luminosities (and thus stellar masses) found in objects of this kind. M93 is at the

PIX4568102

Open cluster M11 in the ECU of Sobieski - M11 open cluster in Scutum - M11 (NGC 6705) is a cluster of about 3000 stars. Image obtained by Siding Spring Clusters of bright blue stars like M11 are found scattered among the spiral arms of the Milky Way and other galaxies like it. They are a clear sign that star formation is active, because such clusters are usually very young and short lived. The stars in M11 all formed from the same material and at about the same time, a few million years ago. In 100 million years or so, all the brightest stars in the group will have evolved into cool supergiants and exploded as supernovae, leaving behind large numbers of low mass, relatively faint stars whose lives will be much longer and whose end will be much less dramatic. Located in the constellation of Scutum, it is sometimes mistaken for a loose globular cluster. M11 is also called the “” Wild Duck Cluster”” because of it's resemblance to a flight of wild ducks when viewed in a telescope. M11, wit

Open cluster M11 in the ECU of Sobieski - M11 open cluster in Scutum - M11 (NGC 6705) is a cluster of about 3000 stars. Image obtained by Siding Spring Clusters of bright blue stars like M11 are found scattered among the spiral arms of the Milky Way and other galaxies like it. They are a clear sign that star formation is active, because such clusters are usually very young and short lived. The stars in M11 all formed from the same material and at about the same time, a few million years ago. In 100 million years or so, all the brightest stars in the group will have evolved into cool supergiants and exploded as supernovae, leaving behind large numbers of low mass, relatively faint stars whose lives will be much longer and whose end will be much less dramatic. Located in the constellation of Scutum, it is sometimes mistaken for a loose globular cluster. M11 is also called the “” Wild Duck Cluster”” because of it's resemblance to a flight of wild ducks when viewed in a telescope. M11, wit

PIX4568454

Leo 1 dwarf galaxy in the Lion - Leo 1 dwarf galaxy - Leo 1 is located about 900,000 light years from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. It has only been known since the 1950s; it is difficult to observe due to the proximity of the Regulus star, thousands of times brighter. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring. The 'Local Group' of galaxies, to which the Milky Way belongs, contains more dwarf galaxies than any other type. The low surface brightness and lack of bright stars makes them difficult to study, even with a large telescope. Leo I presents particular problems because the galaxy appears only 20 arc minutes (less than the apparent diameter of the Moon) from the brilliant star Regulus and special precautions had to be taken to prevent scattered light from the star obliterating its feeble image. The plates from which this picture was made (the first in colour of a dwarf elliptical galaxy) will be used to learn more abou

Leo 1 dwarf galaxy in the Lion - Leo 1 dwarf galaxy - Leo 1 is located about 900,000 light years from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. It has only been known since the 1950s; it is difficult to observe due to the proximity of the Regulus star, thousands of times brighter. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring. The 'Local Group' of galaxies, to which the Milky Way belongs, contains more dwarf galaxies than any other type. The low surface brightness and lack of bright stars makes them difficult to study, even with a large telescope. Leo I presents particular problems because the galaxy appears only 20 arc minutes (less than the apparent diameter of the Moon) from the brilliant star Regulus and special precautions had to be taken to prevent scattered light from the star obliterating its feeble image. The plates from which this picture was made (the first in colour of a dwarf elliptical galaxy) will be used to learn more abou

PIX4613932

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1300 in Eridan - NGC 1300, barred spiral galaxy in Eridanus - The galaxy NGC 1300 is located about 60 million years ago - light and extends over about 85 000 years - light. Spiral galaxies appear in a variety of guises, but none are more intriguing than the barred variety. As their name suggests, these galaxies are distinguished by a bar, extending (in this case) like two more of less straight assemblies of stars either side of the bright nucleus. Caught up in the bar are two dust lanes, emerging on either side of the nuclear mass. At some distance from the nucleus, the straight, almost structurreless bar and dust lanes abruptly turn at a sharp angle. It is here that the delicately curved arms of the spiral begin, and it is here that star formation is at its most concentrated. Many spirals have such bars, including the Milky Way, where it is a subtle feature, very difficult to detect. NGC 1300, in the southern constellation of Eridanus is among the finest examp

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1300 in Eridan - NGC 1300, barred spiral galaxy in Eridanus - The galaxy NGC 1300 is located about 60 million years ago - light and extends over about 85 000 years - light. Spiral galaxies appear in a variety of guises, but none are more intriguing than the barred variety. As their name suggests, these galaxies are distinguished by a bar, extending (in this case) like two more of less straight assemblies of stars either side of the bright nucleus. Caught up in the bar are two dust lanes, emerging on either side of the nuclear mass. At some distance from the nucleus, the straight, almost structurreless bar and dust lanes abruptly turn at a sharp angle. It is here that the delicately curved arms of the spiral begin, and it is here that star formation is at its most concentrated. Many spirals have such bars, including the Milky Way, where it is a subtle feature, very difficult to detect. NGC 1300, in the southern constellation of Eridanus is among the finest examp

PIX4609731

Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in the Pneumatic Machine - Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in Antlia - NGC 2997 is a spiral galaxy distant about 55 million years - light. NGC 2997 seems to be a galaxy seen from the front but in reality is inclined by about 45 degrees. Its arms are home to large star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. The disc of NGC 2997 is inclined at about 45 degrees to our line of sight, revealing its internal structure and giving the galaxy an oval appearance. Like most spirals, the galaxy has two prominent spiral arms, which appear to originate in the yellow nucleus, are peppered with bright red blobs of ionised hydrogen which are similar to regions of star formation in our own Milky Way. Within these gas clouds are produced the hot blue stars which generate most of the light in the arms of the galaxy. A much older population of yellowish stars are concentrated around the nucleus. NGC 2997 is located in the southern constellation of Antlia, abo

Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in the Pneumatic Machine - Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in Antlia - NGC 2997 is a spiral galaxy distant about 55 million years - light. NGC 2997 seems to be a galaxy seen from the front but in reality is inclined by about 45 degrees. Its arms are home to large star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. The disc of NGC 2997 is inclined at about 45 degrees to our line of sight, revealing its internal structure and giving the galaxy an oval appearance. Like most spirals, the galaxy has two prominent spiral arms, which appear to originate in the yellow nucleus, are peppered with bright red blobs of ionised hydrogen which are similar to regions of star formation in our own Milky Way. Within these gas clouds are produced the hot blue stars which generate most of the light in the arms of the galaxy. A much older population of yellowish stars are concentrated around the nucleus. NGC 2997 is located in the southern constellation of Antlia, abo

PIX4610276

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

Detail in the nebula Omega (M17) - Part of M17 nebula - Detail in the nebula Omega (M17), a region of star formation. Image obtained from the 3.5-metre NTT telescope of the European Observatory of La Silla in Chile. The Omega Nebula (M17) is one of the youngest and most massive star - forming regions in the Milky Way. Active star - birth started a few million years ago and continues through today. The brightly shining gas shown in this picture is just a blister erupting from the side of a much larger dark cloud of molecular gas. The dust that is so prominent in this picture comes from the remains of massive hot stars that have ended their brief lives and ejected material back into space, as well as the cosmic detritus from which future suns form. Three - colour composite image of the Omega Nebula (Messier 17), based on images obtained with the EMMI instrument on the ESO 3.58 - metre New Technology Telescope at the La Silla Observatory. North is down and East is to the right in the imag

Detail in the nebula Omega (M17) - Part of M17 nebula - Detail in the nebula Omega (M17), a region of star formation. Image obtained from the 3.5-metre NTT telescope of the European Observatory of La Silla in Chile. The Omega Nebula (M17) is one of the youngest and most massive star - forming regions in the Milky Way. Active star - birth started a few million years ago and continues through today. The brightly shining gas shown in this picture is just a blister erupting from the side of a much larger dark cloud of molecular gas. The dust that is so prominent in this picture comes from the remains of massive hot stars that have ended their brief lives and ejected material back into space, as well as the cosmic detritus from which future suns form. Three - colour composite image of the Omega Nebula (Messier 17), based on images obtained with the EMMI instrument on the ESO 3.58 - metre New Technology Telescope at the La Silla Observatory. North is down and East is to the right in the imag

PIX4620256

Globular cluster M15 in Pegase - Globular cluster M15 in Pegasus - View of the globular cluster M15 by the Hubble space telescope. Located about 35,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation Pegase, M15 is one of 150 known globular clusters forming a vast halo around our galaxy. The bluish object in the middle left of the image is a planetary nebula: Kuestner 648 (Pease 1). Planetary nebulae are gas shells ejected by a star at the end of life, after its phase of red giante; they are very rarely observed in globular clusters or their presence is not yet well understood. The globular cluster Messier 15 is shown in this color image obtained with the NASA Hubble Space Telescope. Lying some 35,000 light - years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Pegasus, M15 is one of almost 150 known globular clusters that form a vast halo surrounding our Milky Way galaxy. The bluish object to the middle left of the image is a gas cloud surrounding a dying star, a planetary nebula k

Globular cluster M15 in Pegase - Globular cluster M15 in Pegasus - View of the globular cluster M15 by the Hubble space telescope. Located about 35,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation Pegase, M15 is one of 150 known globular clusters forming a vast halo around our galaxy. The bluish object in the middle left of the image is a planetary nebula: Kuestner 648 (Pease 1). Planetary nebulae are gas shells ejected by a star at the end of life, after its phase of red giante; they are very rarely observed in globular clusters or their presence is not yet well understood. The globular cluster Messier 15 is shown in this color image obtained with the NASA Hubble Space Telescope. Lying some 35,000 light - years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Pegasus, M15 is one of almost 150 known globular clusters that form a vast halo surrounding our Milky Way galaxy. The bluish object to the middle left of the image is a gas cloud surrounding a dying star, a planetary nebula k

PIX4565141

Sharpless - 136: 'Ghost' in Cepheus, 2011 (digital photo)

Sharpless - 136: 'Ghost' in Cepheus, 2011 (digital photo)

Bryzgalov, Oleg (21st century)

MMM7341113

Constellation of the Berenice Hair - Constellation of Coma Berenices - The constellation of the Berenice Hair contains a cluster of stars, Melotte 111. Coma Berenice's (Berenices Hair) would be as insignificant as many of Lacaille's southern sky inventions if it were not for the subtle but distinctive Coma Star Cluster (Melotte 111), 270 light years away. The constellation's name alludes to the flowing hair of Queen Berenices of Egypt, allegedly cut off in gratitude for the safe return of her husband from some military escapade. This constellation was once considered to be part of Leo, where the hairy smudge of the open cluster was regarded as the tuft of the lion's tail. Melotte 111 is a large, open cluster of stars ranging between 5th magnitude (barely visible) to 10th magnitude, 100 times fainter. It extends over 5 degrees and despite the faintness of its constituent stars is clearly visible as a hazy patch in an otherwise undistinguished part of the sky. Coma is the direction of th

Constellation of the Berenice Hair - Constellation of Coma Berenices - The constellation of the Berenice Hair contains a cluster of stars, Melotte 111. Coma Berenice's (Berenices Hair) would be as insignificant as many of Lacaille's southern sky inventions if it were not for the subtle but distinctive Coma Star Cluster (Melotte 111), 270 light years away. The constellation's name alludes to the flowing hair of Queen Berenices of Egypt, allegedly cut off in gratitude for the safe return of her husband from some military escapade. This constellation was once considered to be part of Leo, where the hairy smudge of the open cluster was regarded as the tuft of the lion's tail. Melotte 111 is a large, open cluster of stars ranging between 5th magnitude (barely visible) to 10th magnitude, 100 times fainter. It extends over 5 degrees and despite the faintness of its constituent stars is clearly visible as a hazy patch in an otherwise undistinguished part of the sky. Coma is the direction of th

PIX4589874

Constellation of the Berenice Hair - Constellation of Coma Berenices - The constellation of the Berenice Hair contains a cluster of stars, Melotte 111. Coma Berenice's (Berenices Hair) would be as insignificant as many of Lacaille's southern sky inventions if it were not for the subtle but distinctive Coma Star Cluster (Melotte 111), 270 light years away. The constellation's name alludes to the flowing hair of Queen Berenices of Egypt, allegedly cut off in gratitude for the safe return of her husband from some military escapade. This constellation was once considered to be part of Leo, where the hairy smudge of the open cluster was regarded as the tuft of the lion's tail. Melotte 111 is a large, open cluster of stars ranging between 5th magnitude (barely visible) to 10th magnitude, 100 times fainter. It extends over 5 degrees and despite the faintness of its constituent stars is clearly visible as a hazy patch in an otherwise undistinguished part of the sky. Coma is the direction of th

Constellation of the Berenice Hair - Constellation of Coma Berenices - The constellation of the Berenice Hair contains a cluster of stars, Melotte 111. Coma Berenice's (Berenices Hair) would be as insignificant as many of Lacaille's southern sky inventions if it were not for the subtle but distinctive Coma Star Cluster (Melotte 111), 270 light years away. The constellation's name alludes to the flowing hair of Queen Berenices of Egypt, allegedly cut off in gratitude for the safe return of her husband from some military escapade. This constellation was once considered to be part of Leo, where the hairy smudge of the open cluster was regarded as the tuft of the lion's tail. Melotte 111 is a large, open cluster of stars ranging between 5th magnitude (barely visible) to 10th magnitude, 100 times fainter. It extends over 5 degrees and despite the faintness of its constituent stars is clearly visible as a hazy patch in an otherwise undistinguished part of the sky. Coma is the direction of th

PIX4589943

Central part of the Virgin galaxy cluster - Heart of the Virgo cluster of galaxies - On the right are the M84 (NGC 4374) and M86 (NGC 4406) (to its left). Lower left is the elliptical galaxy M87. The Virgin's cluster is located about 70 million light years away from Earth and contains nearly 2000 galaxies. This photo shows the heart of the Virgo cluster of galaxies. Located about 70 million light years away, the Virgo cluster is a gigantic collection of several thousand galaxies that dominate our local part of the universe. It is the center of our local supercluster of galaxies which includes members of our local group, the Milky Way (our own galaxy), M31, M32, M110, M33, the Magellanic clouds, and others. Markarian's Chain of galaxies is to the upper right, including giant elliptical galaxies M86 and M84. M87 is another giant elliptical galaxy at lower left in the photo. Also called Virgo A, this galaxy contains nearly 3 trillion solar masses. It lies at a distance of 60 million light

Central part of the Virgin galaxy cluster - Heart of the Virgo cluster of galaxies - On the right are the M84 (NGC 4374) and M86 (NGC 4406) (to its left). Lower left is the elliptical galaxy M87. The Virgin's cluster is located about 70 million light years away from Earth and contains nearly 2000 galaxies. This photo shows the heart of the Virgo cluster of galaxies. Located about 70 million light years away, the Virgo cluster is a gigantic collection of several thousand galaxies that dominate our local part of the universe. It is the center of our local supercluster of galaxies which includes members of our local group, the Milky Way (our own galaxy), M31, M32, M110, M33, the Magellanic clouds, and others. Markarian's Chain of galaxies is to the upper right, including giant elliptical galaxies M86 and M84. M87 is another giant elliptical galaxy at lower left in the photo. Also called Virgo A, this galaxy contains nearly 3 trillion solar masses. It lies at a distance of 60 million light

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4565411

Spiral galaxy NGC 7424 in the Crane - Galaxy NGC 7424 in Grus - The barree spiral galaxy NGC 7424 is located about 40 million years away from Earth. NGC 7424 extends over nearly 100,000 light years, like our galaxy. Numerous bright blue clusters of massive young stars are visible along the spiral arms. Image obtained by the telescope MELIPAL of the VLT on October 9, 2004 Composite colour - coded image of spiral galaxy, NGC 7424, at a distance of 40 million light - years. This galaxy is classified as “” SAB (rs) cd””, meaning that it is intermediate between normal spirals (SA) and strongly barred galaxies (SB) and that it has rather open arms with a small central region. It also shows many ionised regions as well as clusters of young and massive stars. Ten young massive star clusters can be identified whose size span the range from 1 to 200 light - years. The galaxy itself is roughly 100,000 light - years across, that is, quite similar in size to our own Milky Way galaxy. Images obtaine

Spiral galaxy NGC 7424 in the Crane - Galaxy NGC 7424 in Grus - The barree spiral galaxy NGC 7424 is located about 40 million years away from Earth. NGC 7424 extends over nearly 100,000 light years, like our galaxy. Numerous bright blue clusters of massive young stars are visible along the spiral arms. Image obtained by the telescope MELIPAL of the VLT on October 9, 2004 Composite colour - coded image of spiral galaxy, NGC 7424, at a distance of 40 million light - years. This galaxy is classified as “” SAB (rs) cd””, meaning that it is intermediate between normal spirals (SA) and strongly barred galaxies (SB) and that it has rather open arms with a small central region. It also shows many ionised regions as well as clusters of young and massive stars. Ten young massive star clusters can be identified whose size span the range from 1 to 200 light - years. The galaxy itself is roughly 100,000 light - years across, that is, quite similar in size to our own Milky Way galaxy. Images obtaine

PIX4613160

Elliptical galaxy NGC 4881 and distant galaxies - Elliptical galaxy NGC 4881 and distant galaxies - The elliptical galaxy NGC 4881 (upper left) is about 300 million years away - light from Earth. NGC 4881 is located in the Coma galaxy cluster that contains at least 1,000 galaxies and is five times farther from us than the Virgin's cluster. Almost all the objects visible in this photo are located far behind the Coma cluster, except for the spiral galaxy to the right of Ngc 4881. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1994. This photo mosaic, which shows a field of distant galaxies, is a computer enhanced reproduction of a picture taken 4 March 1994 with the repaired Hubble Space Telescope. The brightest object in this picture is NGC 4881. It is a 13th - magnitude elliptical galaxy in the outskirts of the Coma Cluster, a great cluster of galaxies more than 5 times farther away than the Virgo Cluster. Except for a 16th - magnitude Coma spiral at the right and a few foreground sta

Elliptical galaxy NGC 4881 and distant galaxies - Elliptical galaxy NGC 4881 and distant galaxies - The elliptical galaxy NGC 4881 (upper left) is about 300 million years away - light from Earth. NGC 4881 is located in the Coma galaxy cluster that contains at least 1,000 galaxies and is five times farther from us than the Virgin's cluster. Almost all the objects visible in this photo are located far behind the Coma cluster, except for the spiral galaxy to the right of Ngc 4881. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1994. This photo mosaic, which shows a field of distant galaxies, is a computer enhanced reproduction of a picture taken 4 March 1994 with the repaired Hubble Space Telescope. The brightest object in this picture is NGC 4881. It is a 13th - magnitude elliptical galaxy in the outskirts of the Coma Cluster, a great cluster of galaxies more than 5 times farther away than the Virgo Cluster. Except for a 16th - magnitude Coma spiral at the right and a few foreground sta

PIX4611992

Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpio - Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpius - These nebulae are located approximately 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 show no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. These nebulae are quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Ca

Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpio - Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpius - These nebulae are located approximately 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 show no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. These nebulae are quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Ca

PIX4619350

Irregular galaxy NGC 3239 in the Lion - Irregular galaxy NGC 3239 in Leo - The irregular galaxy NGC 3239 is located 25 million light years ago in the constellation Lion. Also visible on this image is the supernova SN 2012a (under the bright star in the center of the image). About 40,000 light - years across, irregular galaxy NGC 3239 lies near the center of this field of galaxies in the galaxy rich constellation Leo. At a distance of only 25 million light - years it dominates the frame, sporting a peculiar arrangement of structures, young blue star clusters and star forming regions, suggesting that NGC 3239 (aka Arp 263) is the result of a galaxy merger. Appearing almost on top of the pretty galaxy is a bright, spiky, foreground star, a nearby member of our own Milky Way galaxy almost directly along our line - of - sight to NGC 3239. Still, NGC 3239 is notable for hosting this year's first confirmed supernova, designated SN 2012A. SN 2012A is just below and right of the bright foregrou

Irregular galaxy NGC 3239 in the Lion - Irregular galaxy NGC 3239 in Leo - The irregular galaxy NGC 3239 is located 25 million light years ago in the constellation Lion. Also visible on this image is the supernova SN 2012a (under the bright star in the center of the image). About 40,000 light - years across, irregular galaxy NGC 3239 lies near the center of this field of galaxies in the galaxy rich constellation Leo. At a distance of only 25 million light - years it dominates the frame, sporting a peculiar arrangement of structures, young blue star clusters and star forming regions, suggesting that NGC 3239 (aka Arp 263) is the result of a galaxy merger. Appearing almost on top of the pretty galaxy is a bright, spiky, foreground star, a nearby member of our own Milky Way galaxy almost directly along our line - of - sight to NGC 3239. Still, NGC 3239 is notable for hosting this year's first confirmed supernova, designated SN 2012A. SN 2012A is just below and right of the bright foregrou

Adam Block

PIX4610534

Interacting Galaxies Arp 240 - Interacting galaxies Arp 240 - The galaxy Arp 240 is located about 300 million light years away from Earth in the constellation of the Virgin. Composed of spiral galaxies NGC 5257 and NGC 5258, this interacting system presents important star formations. The two galaxies contain a supermassive black hole in the centre. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on 20 December 2001. NGC 5257/8 (Arp 240) is an astonishing galaxy pair, composed of spiral galaxies of similar mass and size, NGC 5257 and NGC 5258. The galaxies are visibly interacting with each other via a bridge of dim stars connecting the two galaxies, almost like two dancers holding hands while performing a pirouette. Both galaxies harbor supermassive black holes in their centers and are actively forming new stars in their disks. Arp 240 is located in the constellation Virgo, approximately 300 million light - years away, and is the 240th galaxy in ARP's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. With the e

Interacting Galaxies Arp 240 - Interacting galaxies Arp 240 - The galaxy Arp 240 is located about 300 million light years away from Earth in the constellation of the Virgin. Composed of spiral galaxies NGC 5257 and NGC 5258, this interacting system presents important star formations. The two galaxies contain a supermassive black hole in the centre. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on 20 December 2001. NGC 5257/8 (Arp 240) is an astonishing galaxy pair, composed of spiral galaxies of similar mass and size, NGC 5257 and NGC 5258. The galaxies are visibly interacting with each other via a bridge of dim stars connecting the two galaxies, almost like two dancers holding hands while performing a pirouette. Both galaxies harbor supermassive black holes in their centers and are actively forming new stars in their disks. Arp 240 is located in the constellation Virgo, approximately 300 million light - years away, and is the 240th galaxy in ARP's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. With the e

PIX4612595

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clust

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clust

PIX4564310

Mars and Zodiacal Light - The Zodiacal Light with Mars - In the middle up, the bright spot is the planet Mars, in the constellation Gemeaux. Below, the zodiac light. The zodiacal light comes from the reflection of the Sun's light on the countless interplanetary dust; it draws the plan of the Solar System. September 20, 2009. The Zodiacal light is visible here as a large diffuse triangular - shaped cone of light rising along the ecliptic, which is tilted a bit to the right. Its base stretches from Leo on the left to the head of Hydra on the right. It goes up through Cancer and into Gemini where it crosses the Milky Way. The planet Mars was also located in Gemini when this photo was taken. The Zodiacal light is composed of fine particles of dust in orbit around the Sun. It is visible because of sunlight scattered by the particles. These particles have sizes between a couple of micrometers and a few millimeters. From the mid - northern latitudes, the Zodiacal light is most easily visible

Mars and Zodiacal Light - The Zodiacal Light with Mars - In the middle up, the bright spot is the planet Mars, in the constellation Gemeaux. Below, the zodiac light. The zodiacal light comes from the reflection of the Sun's light on the countless interplanetary dust; it draws the plan of the Solar System. September 20, 2009. The Zodiacal light is visible here as a large diffuse triangular - shaped cone of light rising along the ecliptic, which is tilted a bit to the right. Its base stretches from Leo on the left to the head of Hydra on the right. It goes up through Cancer and into Gemini where it crosses the Milky Way. The planet Mars was also located in Gemini when this photo was taken. The Zodiacal light is composed of fine particles of dust in orbit around the Sun. It is visible because of sunlight scattered by the particles. These particles have sizes between a couple of micrometers and a few millimeters. From the mid - northern latitudes, the Zodiacal light is most easily visible

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4581551

Constellation of Lyra - Constellation of Lyra - Constellation of Lyra with bright star Vega. Lyra, The Lyre is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and represents a stringed musical instrument widely used in Greek classical times. Apparently, the young god Hermes (Mercury) created the lyre from the body of a large tortoise shell covered with animal hide sporting antelope horns. The instrument is associated with the virtues of moderation and equilibrium, and was given by Hermes to his half - brother Apollo, who in turn gave it to his son Orpheus. Lyra is a small constellation, but rather obvious to the eye. Its principal star, Vega, is the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere and is also interesting because it is seen almost pole - on and is one of the most rapidly rotating stars known, so it could see it from a different direction it would appear distinctly flattened. Because of precession, Vega is destined to be the Pole Star in about 12,000 years. Entirely unco

Constellation of Lyra - Constellation of Lyra - Constellation of Lyra with bright star Vega. Lyra, The Lyre is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and represents a stringed musical instrument widely used in Greek classical times. Apparently, the young god Hermes (Mercury) created the lyre from the body of a large tortoise shell covered with animal hide sporting antelope horns. The instrument is associated with the virtues of moderation and equilibrium, and was given by Hermes to his half - brother Apollo, who in turn gave it to his son Orpheus. Lyra is a small constellation, but rather obvious to the eye. Its principal star, Vega, is the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere and is also interesting because it is seen almost pole - on and is one of the most rapidly rotating stars known, so it could see it from a different direction it would appear distinctly flattened. Because of precession, Vega is destined to be the Pole Star in about 12,000 years. Entirely unco

PIX4592258

Constellation of Lyra - Constellation of Lyra - Constellation of Lyra with bright star Vega. Lyra, The Lyre is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and represents a stringed musical instrument widely used in Greek classical times. Apparently, the young god Hermes (Mercury) created the lyre from the body of a large tortoise shell covered with animal hide sporting antelope horns. The instrument is associated with the virtues of moderation and equilibrium, and was given by Hermes to his half - brother Apollo, who in turn gave it to his son Orpheus. Lyra is a small constellation, but rather obvious to the eye. Its principal star, Vega, is the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere and is also interesting because it is seen almost pole - on and is one of the most rapidly rotating stars known, so it could see it from a different direction it would appear distinctly flattened. Because of precession, Vega is destined to be the Pole Star in about 12,000 years. Entirely unco

Constellation of Lyra - Constellation of Lyra - Constellation of Lyra with bright star Vega. Lyra, The Lyre is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and represents a stringed musical instrument widely used in Greek classical times. Apparently, the young god Hermes (Mercury) created the lyre from the body of a large tortoise shell covered with animal hide sporting antelope horns. The instrument is associated with the virtues of moderation and equilibrium, and was given by Hermes to his half - brother Apollo, who in turn gave it to his son Orpheus. Lyra is a small constellation, but rather obvious to the eye. Its principal star, Vega, is the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere and is also interesting because it is seen almost pole - on and is one of the most rapidly rotating stars known, so it could see it from a different direction it would appear distinctly flattened. Because of precession, Vega is destined to be the Pole Star in about 12,000 years. Entirely unco

PIX4592263

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae, NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clus

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae, NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clus

PIX4564283

Nebula NGC 6334 in the Scorpion - The 'reddened' nebulosity of NGC 6334 - The nebula NGC 6334 is located about 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebula NGC 6334 shows no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. This nebula is quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Careful measurement of the colour

Nebula NGC 6334 in the Scorpion - The 'reddened' nebulosity of NGC 6334 - The nebula NGC 6334 is located about 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebula NGC 6334 shows no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. This nebula is quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Careful measurement of the colour

PIX4619360

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 nucleus of the galaxy. This nucleus is double, probably the vestige of a collision with another galaxy. At the heart of the nearby spiral galaxy M31 is a tiny, bright nucleus, seen to be slightly elongated on this colour picture. Hubble Space Telescope pictures show the nucleus to be a double structure, possibly the remains of the nucleus of another galaxy which has now been almost completely absorbed in M31. Around the binary nucleus swirls a huge cloud of mostly old, faint stars. This not only reveals the inner nucleus but also shows traces of dust which seem to stream into the bright central part of the galaxy. Studies of the stars around the nucleus strongly suggest that at the heart of

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 nucleus of the galaxy. This nucleus is double, probably the vestige of a collision with another galaxy. At the heart of the nearby spiral galaxy M31 is a tiny, bright nucleus, seen to be slightly elongated on this colour picture. Hubble Space Telescope pictures show the nucleus to be a double structure, possibly the remains of the nucleus of another galaxy which has now been almost completely absorbed in M31. Around the binary nucleus swirls a huge cloud of mostly old, faint stars. This not only reveals the inner nucleus but also shows traces of dust which seem to stream into the bright central part of the galaxy. Studies of the stars around the nucleus strongly suggest that at the heart of

PIX4608823

NGC 1850 Star Cluster in Dorado - Double Cluster NGC 1850 in Dorado - The double cluster NGC 1850 is located in the galaxy of the Great Magellan Cloud. It contains a cluster of globular form, but young, 50 million years, in the center of the image and another cluster, at the bottom right, even younger (4 million years), consists of warm and blue stars and a few T - Tauri stars. NGC 1850, imaged here with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, is an unusual double cluster that lies in the bar of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our own Milky Way. After the 30 Doradus complex, NGC 1850 is the brightest star cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud. It is representative of a special class of objects - young, globular - like star clusters - that have no counterpart in our own Galaxy. The two components of the cluster are both relatively young and consist of a main globular - like cluster in the centre and an even younger, smaller cluster, seen below and to the right, composed o

NGC 1850 Star Cluster in Dorado - Double Cluster NGC 1850 in Dorado - The double cluster NGC 1850 is located in the galaxy of the Great Magellan Cloud. It contains a cluster of globular form, but young, 50 million years, in the center of the image and another cluster, at the bottom right, even younger (4 million years), consists of warm and blue stars and a few T - Tauri stars. NGC 1850, imaged here with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, is an unusual double cluster that lies in the bar of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our own Milky Way. After the 30 Doradus complex, NGC 1850 is the brightest star cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud. It is representative of a special class of objects - young, globular - like star clusters - that have no counterpart in our own Galaxy. The two components of the cluster are both relatively young and consist of a main globular - like cluster in the centre and an even younger, smaller cluster, seen below and to the right, composed o

PIX4567832

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clust

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clust

PIX4564306

Star Formation in the dwarf galaxy NGC 1569 - Starburst galaxy NGC 1569 - NGC 1569 is a dwarf irregular galaxy in the constellation Giraffe. The Hubble space telescope measured its distance with precision, placing it 11 million years - light from Earth, or 4 million years - light beyond the distance previously established by astronomers. This new measure explains better why this galaxy has a particularly high star formation rate. It resides among a group of galaxies that by gravity compresses its gas, thus creating a hundred times more stars than in our own galaxy. NGC 1569 is located in the middle of a group of about 10 galaxies centered on the spiral galaxy IC 342. Gravitational interactions among the group's galaxies may be compressing gas in NGC 1569 and igniting the star - birthing frenzy. The galaxy is forming stars at a rate more than 100 times higher than the rate in the Milky Way. This high star - formation rate has been almost continuous for the past 100 million years. Thanks

Star Formation in the dwarf galaxy NGC 1569 - Starburst galaxy NGC 1569 - NGC 1569 is a dwarf irregular galaxy in the constellation Giraffe. The Hubble space telescope measured its distance with precision, placing it 11 million years - light from Earth, or 4 million years - light beyond the distance previously established by astronomers. This new measure explains better why this galaxy has a particularly high star formation rate. It resides among a group of galaxies that by gravity compresses its gas, thus creating a hundred times more stars than in our own galaxy. NGC 1569 is located in the middle of a group of about 10 galaxies centered on the spiral galaxy IC 342. Gravitational interactions among the group's galaxies may be compressing gas in NGC 1569 and igniting the star - birthing frenzy. The galaxy is forming stars at a rate more than 100 times higher than the rate in the Milky Way. This high star - formation rate has been almost continuous for the past 100 million years. Thanks

PIX4609940

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

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

PIX4620865

Nebula N90 in the Little Magellan Cloud - N90 nebula in the Small Magellanic Cloud - View of nebula N90 in the Little Magellan Cloud, a galaxy next to our located 200 000 years - light from Earth. At the heart of this star-forming region is the cluster of stars NGC 602. These young stars have emerge from their cocoon of gas blowing the surrounding matter; the gas pillars pointing towards these stars are a sign of this erosion. In the dark clouds, other stars are forming. In the background, many galaxies are visible. Composite images obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in July 2004. N90 is one of the star - forming regions in the Small Magellanic Cloud approximately 200,000 light - years away from the Earth.. The rich populations of infant stars found here enable astronomers to examine star forming processes in an environment that is very different from that in our own Milky Way. The high energy radiation blazing out from the hot young stars in N90 is eroding the outer portions of th

Nebula N90 in the Little Magellan Cloud - N90 nebula in the Small Magellanic Cloud - View of nebula N90 in the Little Magellan Cloud, a galaxy next to our located 200 000 years - light from Earth. At the heart of this star-forming region is the cluster of stars NGC 602. These young stars have emerge from their cocoon of gas blowing the surrounding matter; the gas pillars pointing towards these stars are a sign of this erosion. In the dark clouds, other stars are forming. In the background, many galaxies are visible. Composite images obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in July 2004. N90 is one of the star - forming regions in the Small Magellanic Cloud approximately 200,000 light - years away from the Earth.. The rich populations of infant stars found here enable astronomers to examine star forming processes in an environment that is very different from that in our own Milky Way. The high energy radiation blazing out from the hot young stars in N90 is eroding the outer portions of th

R. Gendler

PIX4620932

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 was obtained by the MPG/ESO telesope of 2.2 - m in La Silla in Chile in 2000. Located some 7 million light - years away, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 is a beautiful representative of its class, a Milky - Way - like member of the prominent Sculptor group of galaxies in the southern constellation of that name. NGC 300 is a big object in the sky - being so close, it extends over an angle of almost 25 arcmin, only slightly less than the size of the full moon. It is also relative bright, even a small pair of binoculars will unveil this magnificent spiral galaxy as a hazy glowing patch on a dark sky background. The comparatively small distance of NGC 300 and its face - on orientation provide astronom

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 was obtained by the MPG/ESO telesope of 2.2 - m in La Silla in Chile in 2000. Located some 7 million light - years away, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 is a beautiful representative of its class, a Milky - Way - like member of the prominent Sculptor group of galaxies in the southern constellation of that name. NGC 300 is a big object in the sky - being so close, it extends over an angle of almost 25 arcmin, only slightly less than the size of the full moon. It is also relative bright, even a small pair of binoculars will unveil this magnificent spiral galaxy as a hazy glowing patch on a dark sky background. The comparatively small distance of NGC 300 and its face - on orientation provide astronom

PIX4609158

Globular cluster NGC 1806 in Dorado - Globular cluster NGC 1806 in Dorado - Image of the globular cluster NGC 1806 located in the southern constellation of Dorado. NGC 1806 belongs to the galaxy of the Great Magellan Cloud, a galaxy adjacent to our lactee path. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has turned its sharp eye towards a tight collection of stars, first seen 174 years ago. The result is a sparkling image of NGC 1806, tens of thousands of stars gravitationally bound into a rich cluster. Commonly called globular clusters, most of these objects are very old, having formed in the distant past when the Universe was only a fraction of its current age. NGC 1806 lies within the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our own Milky Way. It can be observed within the constellation of Dorado (the dolphin - fish), an area of the sky best seen from the Earth's southern hemisphere. NGC 1806 was discovered in 1836 by the British astr

Globular cluster NGC 1806 in Dorado - Globular cluster NGC 1806 in Dorado - Image of the globular cluster NGC 1806 located in the southern constellation of Dorado. NGC 1806 belongs to the galaxy of the Great Magellan Cloud, a galaxy adjacent to our lactee path. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has turned its sharp eye towards a tight collection of stars, first seen 174 years ago. The result is a sparkling image of NGC 1806, tens of thousands of stars gravitationally bound into a rich cluster. Commonly called globular clusters, most of these objects are very old, having formed in the distant past when the Universe was only a fraction of its current age. NGC 1806 lies within the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our own Milky Way. It can be observed within the constellation of Dorado (the dolphin - fish), an area of the sky best seen from the Earth's southern hemisphere. NGC 1806 was discovered in 1836 by the British astr

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