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Nebula NGC 6164 - 5 in the Rule - The field around NGC 6164 - 65 - This nebula is located about 4000 years from Earth. It's a bipolar nebula around a hot O star at the end of life. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Very hot, massive stars lose substantial amounts of matter from their surfaces during much of their brief lives. Mass - loss is usually a fairly steady process but some stars occasionally develop instabilities and have major outbursts. This star has thrown off at least two distinct lots of material during its lifetime, the brightest and most recent being the bright lobes of NGC 6164 - 5 at the centre of the picture while a much fainter rim of nebulosity can be seen at a considerable distance from the central star, indicating an earlier episode of violent ejection. The nebula is at a distance of about 4200 light years

Nebula NGC 6164 - 5 in the Rule - The field around NGC 6164 - 65 - This nebula is located about 4000 years from Earth. It's a bipolar nebula around a hot O star at the end of life. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Very hot, massive stars lose substantial amounts of matter from their surfaces during much of their brief lives. Mass - loss is usually a fairly steady process but some stars occasionally develop instabilities and have major outbursts. This star has thrown off at least two distinct lots of material during its lifetime, the brightest and most recent being the bright lobes of NGC 6164 - 5 at the centre of the picture while a much fainter rim of nebulosity can be seen at a considerable distance from the central star, indicating an earlier episode of violent ejection. The nebula is at a distance of about 4200 light years

PIX4619215

Nebula NGC 6188 in the Altar - The NGC 6188 nebula and NGC 6193 in Ara - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 years from Earth. It is home to a cluster of young stars NGC 6193, formed three million years ago. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Here we see two bright stars whose radiant energy is beating down on to the surface of a dark cloud, very similar to the Horsehead in Orion. The cloud itself is opaque and because of that, very cold inside. These conditions are ideal for the formation of organic molecules on the surfaces of the chilled dust particles. The opacity of the cloud protects the fragile molecules within from the energetic radiation of nearby stars, but as its surface is gradually warmed and eroded, the delicate organic molecules are destroyed and the hydrogen released glows as a distinctive red emission nebula

Nebula NGC 6188 in the Altar - The NGC 6188 nebula and NGC 6193 in Ara - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 years from Earth. It is home to a cluster of young stars NGC 6193, formed three million years ago. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Here we see two bright stars whose radiant energy is beating down on to the surface of a dark cloud, very similar to the Horsehead in Orion. The cloud itself is opaque and because of that, very cold inside. These conditions are ideal for the formation of organic molecules on the surfaces of the chilled dust particles. The opacity of the cloud protects the fragile molecules within from the energetic radiation of nearby stars, but as its surface is gradually warmed and eroded, the delicate organic molecules are destroyed and the hydrogen released glows as a distinctive red emission nebula

PIX4619274

Nebula NGC 6188 in the Altar - The NGC 6188 nebula and NGC 6193 in Ara - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 years from Earth. It is home to a cluster of young stars NGC 6193, formed three million years ago. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Here we see two bright stars whose radiant energy is beating down on to the surface of a dark cloud, very similar to the Horsehead in Orion. The cloud itself is opaque and because of that, very cold inside. These conditions are ideal for the formation of organic molecules on the surfaces of the chilled dust particles. The opacity of the cloud protects the fragile molecules within from the energetic radiation of nearby stars, but as its surface is gradually warmed and eroded, the delicate organic molecules are destroyed and the hydrogen released glows as a distinctive red emission nebula

Nebula NGC 6188 in the Altar - The NGC 6188 nebula and NGC 6193 in Ara - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 years from Earth. It is home to a cluster of young stars NGC 6193, formed three million years ago. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Here we see two bright stars whose radiant energy is beating down on to the surface of a dark cloud, very similar to the Horsehead in Orion. The cloud itself is opaque and because of that, very cold inside. These conditions are ideal for the formation of organic molecules on the surfaces of the chilled dust particles. The opacity of the cloud protects the fragile molecules within from the energetic radiation of nearby stars, but as its surface is gradually warmed and eroded, the delicate organic molecules are destroyed and the hydrogen released glows as a distinctive red emission nebula

PIX4619305

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson

DIL4050648

Supernova 1987A 4 years after - Supernova 1987A after 4 years - Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation of Dorado on February 23, 1987. 4 years later the star appears as a red dot and pulls. The elongated red 'star' marks the site of supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The two blue stars that bracket the glowing ember are almost certainly in the LMC as well, but not necessarily near the supernova. They initially confused the issue of which star had exploded. The red image is the expanding remnant of a massive star and can be seen to be slightly elongated in this picture. The elongation is in the same direction as the well - known Hubble Space Telescope picture of the ellipse around the supernova and both represent the expanding shock wave from the supernova interacting with material that was ejected from the star before it exploded

Supernova 1987A 4 years after - Supernova 1987A after 4 years - Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation of Dorado on February 23, 1987. 4 years later the star appears as a red dot and pulls. The elongated red 'star' marks the site of supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The two blue stars that bracket the glowing ember are almost certainly in the LMC as well, but not necessarily near the supernova. They initially confused the issue of which star had exploded. The red image is the expanding remnant of a massive star and can be seen to be slightly elongated in this picture. The elongation is in the same direction as the well - known Hubble Space Telescope picture of the ellipse around the supernova and both represent the expanding shock wave from the supernova interacting with material that was ejected from the star before it exploded

PIX4582403

Remains of supernova of the Sails - detail - Pulsar des Sails - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The arrow indicates the position of the pulsar of the Sails, the rest of the star that exploded 12,000 years ago. It's a neutron star, only a few kilometres in diameter. The rest of the supernova is approximately 815 years away from Earth. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring

Remains of supernova of the Sails - detail - Pulsar des Sails - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The arrow indicates the position of the pulsar of the Sails, the rest of the star that exploded 12,000 years ago. It's a neutron star, only a few kilometres in diameter. The rest of the supernova is approximately 815 years away from Earth. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring

PIX4582825

Galaxy NGC 4027 in the Raven - Galaxy NGC 4027 in Corvus - NGC 4027 is a spiral galaxy located about 80 million years ago - light. The photo shows some nearby dwarf galaxies. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This galaxy is of interest because of its similarity to the Large Magellanic Cloud, (LMC) our nearest extra - galactic neighbour. Like the LMC, its light comes predominantly from young stars, which are hotter than the Sun and give the galaxy a bluish colour. However, because this galaxy is over 80 million light - years distant we see only the integrated light of millions of unresolved stars, rather than the individuals we see in the LMC. NGC 4027 has a somewhat distorted appearance and an elongated spiral arm, probably due to the gravitational effect of a smaller companion galaxy, not visible in this photograph but rather obvious on a much deeper image. NGC 4027 is less than half a degree south of the Antennae interacting galaxies

Galaxy NGC 4027 in the Raven - Galaxy NGC 4027 in Corvus - NGC 4027 is a spiral galaxy located about 80 million years ago - light. The photo shows some nearby dwarf galaxies. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This galaxy is of interest because of its similarity to the Large Magellanic Cloud, (LMC) our nearest extra - galactic neighbour. Like the LMC, its light comes predominantly from young stars, which are hotter than the Sun and give the galaxy a bluish colour. However, because this galaxy is over 80 million light - years distant we see only the integrated light of millions of unresolved stars, rather than the individuals we see in the LMC. NGC 4027 has a somewhat distorted appearance and an elongated spiral arm, probably due to the gravitational effect of a smaller companion galaxy, not visible in this photograph but rather obvious on a much deeper image. NGC 4027 is less than half a degree south of the Antennae interacting galaxies

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Interacting galaxies NGC 4038 - 4039 in the Raven - NGC 4038 - 39, the interacting galaxies of the Antennae - Image of the galaxy NGC 4038 - 39 (antenna galaxy), located about 45 million years ago - light from Earth. These two galaxies are interacting. The collision started at least 100 million years ago causes intense star formation. NGC 4038 and 4039 are the well - known pair of interacting galaxies that show two broadly curved tails of stars, the 'antenna', extending a considerable distance from the action. The colour picture reveals the burst of star formation triggered by the encounter, the large numbers of pink emission nebulae in the inter - galaxy region and the location of the numerous dark, brownish - yellow clouds of dust. The yellow nuclei of the two galaxies are also still visible in the colour picture as separate entities

Interacting galaxies NGC 4038 - 4039 in the Raven - NGC 4038 - 39, the interacting galaxies of the Antennae - Image of the galaxy NGC 4038 - 39 (antenna galaxy), located about 45 million years ago - light from Earth. These two galaxies are interacting. The collision started at least 100 million years ago causes intense star formation. NGC 4038 and 4039 are the well - known pair of interacting galaxies that show two broadly curved tails of stars, the 'antenna', extending a considerable distance from the action. The colour picture reveals the burst of star formation triggered by the encounter, the large numbers of pink emission nebulae in the inter - galaxy region and the location of the numerous dark, brownish - yellow clouds of dust. The yellow nuclei of the two galaxies are also still visible in the colour picture as separate entities

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Galaxy NGC 5101 in Hydra - Galaxy NGC 5101 in Hydr

Galaxy NGC 5101 in Hydra - Galaxy NGC 5101 in Hydr

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Planetary nebula ESO 166 - 21 dans les Voiles - The faint planetary nebula ESO 166 - 21 - This planetary nebula was discovered in the rich southern constellation of Vela in 1966, which is why it does not have an NGC number. The 'Ack' designation refers to its identification in the catalogue of planetary nebulae edited by Agnes Acker. This beautifully structured delicate sphere of glowing gas is about 2 arc minutes in diameter and is extremely faint. Both these characteristics have contributed to the conspicuous grain 'noise' in the photograph, and attempts to emphasise the faint nebulosity also bring out the many faint stars in this direction, including the markedly blue central star of visual magnitude 18 which is seen here sandwiched between two other, brighter stars

Planetary nebula ESO 166 - 21 dans les Voiles - The faint planetary nebula ESO 166 - 21 - This planetary nebula was discovered in the rich southern constellation of Vela in 1966, which is why it does not have an NGC number. The 'Ack' designation refers to its identification in the catalogue of planetary nebulae edited by Agnes Acker. This beautifully structured delicate sphere of glowing gas is about 2 arc minutes in diameter and is extremely faint. Both these characteristics have contributed to the conspicuous grain 'noise' in the photograph, and attempts to emphasise the faint nebulosity also bring out the many faint stars in this direction, including the markedly blue central star of visual magnitude 18 which is seen here sandwiched between two other, brighter stars

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Nebula of the Lagoon (M8) in the Sagittarius - View of the nebula of the Lagoon (M - 8/ngc 6523). Located in Sagittarius, at a distance of 6500 years - light, it extends over a diameter of 60 AL. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope

Nebula of the Lagoon (M8) in the Sagittarius - View of the nebula of the Lagoon (M - 8/ngc 6523). Located in Sagittarius, at a distance of 6500 years - light, it extends over a diameter of 60 AL. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope

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Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the center of the Trifide nebula (M20/NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Vast clouds of hydrogen mixed with tiny dust grains are distributed throughout the Milky Way. The hydrogen can only be seen at visible wavelengths when it is illuminated by very hot stars. The light from these stars is sufficiently rich in ultraviolet light to cause the gas to glow with its characteristic red colour. In most cases, such as here, the hot stars formed recently from the hydrogen cloud. The stars found at the heart of the Trifid Nebula are here seen associated with dust lanes which are silhouetted against the glowing background. This nebula is in the constellation of Sagittarius at a distance between 5000 and 10,000 light years

Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the center of the Trifide nebula (M20/NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Vast clouds of hydrogen mixed with tiny dust grains are distributed throughout the Milky Way. The hydrogen can only be seen at visible wavelengths when it is illuminated by very hot stars. The light from these stars is sufficiently rich in ultraviolet light to cause the gas to glow with its characteristic red colour. In most cases, such as here, the hot stars formed recently from the hydrogen cloud. The stars found at the heart of the Trifid Nebula are here seen associated with dust lanes which are silhouetted against the glowing background. This nebula is in the constellation of Sagittarius at a distance between 5000 and 10,000 light years

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Nebula NGC 6559 in Sagittarius - NGC 6559 and IC 1274 - 75 in Sagittarius - Located in Sagittarius, this nebula is located at a distance of about 5000 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. This dusty region is probably associated with the brighter and better - known Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae which are nearby in the sky and part of the same molecular cloud. The soft red glow of fluorescent hydrogen is evidence that there are young hot stars associated with the dusty clouds. These bright stars also illuminate the tiny solid particles, producing blue reflection nebulae bordering some of the emission regions. The dust is also evident in silhouette, both as sinuous dark lanes winding through the luminous gas and as the dark patches obscuring the ancient, yellow stars that populate the central parts of the Milky Way

Nebula NGC 6559 in Sagittarius - NGC 6559 and IC 1274 - 75 in Sagittarius - Located in Sagittarius, this nebula is located at a distance of about 5000 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. This dusty region is probably associated with the brighter and better - known Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae which are nearby in the sky and part of the same molecular cloud. The soft red glow of fluorescent hydrogen is evidence that there are young hot stars associated with the dusty clouds. These bright stars also illuminate the tiny solid particles, producing blue reflection nebulae bordering some of the emission regions. The dust is also evident in silhouette, both as sinuous dark lanes winding through the luminous gas and as the dark patches obscuring the ancient, yellow stars that populate the central parts of the Milky Way

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Eagle Nebula (IC 4703) and M16 star cluster in the Snake - Eagle nebula in Serpens - The Eagle Nebula is a cluster of massive young stars (M16) surrounded by clouds of gas and dust. The three columns in the center of the image were sculpted by the intense radiation emitted by these massive stars. Stars will be born in these clouds if they survive the intense radiation that erodes these pillars. Messier 16 is a cluster of young stars which formed about 2 million years ago from the gas and dust which still surrounds them. Brilliant blue stars of this type are much hotter than the Sun and can be up to thirty times more massive. The dark intrusions visible across the face of the nebula are condensations of dusty material which might one day collapse into yet more stars, should they survive the radiation from the bright stars, which is gradually etching them away. Bright red regions of photo - ionised hydrogen such as M16 are usually found in the spiral arms of galaxies and are often associ

Eagle Nebula (IC 4703) and M16 star cluster in the Snake - Eagle nebula in Serpens - The Eagle Nebula is a cluster of massive young stars (M16) surrounded by clouds of gas and dust. The three columns in the center of the image were sculpted by the intense radiation emitted by these massive stars. Stars will be born in these clouds if they survive the intense radiation that erodes these pillars. Messier 16 is a cluster of young stars which formed about 2 million years ago from the gas and dust which still surrounds them. Brilliant blue stars of this type are much hotter than the Sun and can be up to thirty times more massive. The dark intrusions visible across the face of the nebula are condensations of dusty material which might one day collapse into yet more stars, should they survive the radiation from the bright stars, which is gradually etching them away. Bright red regions of photo - ionised hydrogen such as M16 are usually found in the spiral arms of galaxies and are often associ

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Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - View of the Omega nebula (M17/NGC 6618) located in the constellation Sagittarius at a distance of 5700 light years. This object derives its name from its looped shape reminiscent of the Greek letter when the nebula is seen in a telescope. The gas cloud is unusual in that it does not appear to be illuminated by the bright stars that commonly found in emission nebulae such as this. However, the nebulosity is very bright, so the exciting stars must be hidden within the cloud, an idea confirmed by the infrared brightness of the nebula. As well as exciting the nebula we can see, the embedded stars heat the dust that surrounds them, so M17 is one of the brightest objects in the infrared sky. It is about 6000 light years distant

Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - View of the Omega nebula (M17/NGC 6618) located in the constellation Sagittarius at a distance of 5700 light years. This object derives its name from its looped shape reminiscent of the Greek letter when the nebula is seen in a telescope. The gas cloud is unusual in that it does not appear to be illuminated by the bright stars that commonly found in emission nebulae such as this. However, the nebulosity is very bright, so the exciting stars must be hidden within the cloud, an idea confirmed by the infrared brightness of the nebula. As well as exciting the nebula we can see, the embedded stars heat the dust that surrounds them, so M17 is one of the brightest objects in the infrared sky. It is about 6000 light years distant

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Planetary nebula Shapley 1 in the Rule - The planetary nebula Shapley 1 - This planetary nebula is located about 1000 years ago - light. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring This is an unusual annular planetary nebula in Norma. The nebula itself appears quite small at a little over an arc minute in diameter, while its central star is a magnitude 14 white dwarf. This object is unusual because those planetaries that are not bipolar are more or less spherical shells of material thrown off by the central star as it undergoes an internal rearrangement. We often see them as thick annuli because we look through a greater thickness at the edge of the shell. However, Shapley 1 seems to be a true torus, a doughnut - shaped ring of material that we happen to see face - on around the central star. Sp - 1 is about 1000 light years distant

Planetary nebula Shapley 1 in the Rule - The planetary nebula Shapley 1 - This planetary nebula is located about 1000 years ago - light. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring This is an unusual annular planetary nebula in Norma. The nebula itself appears quite small at a little over an arc minute in diameter, while its central star is a magnitude 14 white dwarf. This object is unusual because those planetaries that are not bipolar are more or less spherical shells of material thrown off by the central star as it undergoes an internal rearrangement. We often see them as thick annuli because we look through a greater thickness at the edge of the shell. However, Shapley 1 seems to be a true torus, a doughnut - shaped ring of material that we happen to see face - on around the central star. Sp - 1 is about 1000 light years distant

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Nebulae NGC 1973 - 1975 - 1977 in Orion - The reflection nebulae NGC 1973 - 75 - 77 in Orion - Reflection nebulae located just north of the Great Orion Nebula. This group of nebulous stars is just half a degree north of the much brighter Orion Nebula and has largely been ignored because of it. The group of stars here appear as a single star to the unaided eye, the northernmost 'star' in the sword of Orion. Most of the blue nebulosity is starlight scattered by dust, while some of the stars are sufficiently hot to excite the wisps of hydrogen that linger here and create a distinctive red glow. To the south of the nebula (at the bottom of the picture) faint traces of the yellow reflected light of the Orion nebula can just be detected

Nebulae NGC 1973 - 1975 - 1977 in Orion - The reflection nebulae NGC 1973 - 75 - 77 in Orion - Reflection nebulae located just north of the Great Orion Nebula. This group of nebulous stars is just half a degree north of the much brighter Orion Nebula and has largely been ignored because of it. The group of stars here appear as a single star to the unaided eye, the northernmost 'star' in the sword of Orion. Most of the blue nebulosity is starlight scattered by dust, while some of the stars are sufficiently hot to excite the wisps of hydrogen that linger here and create a distinctive red glow. To the south of the nebula (at the bottom of the picture) faint traces of the yellow reflected light of the Orion nebula can just be detected

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Around the Tarantula Nebula - Around the Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud - The Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070, is a vast star-forming region located north of the Great Magellan Cloud galaxy in the southern hemisphere about 170,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. Known as the Tarantula Nebula for its spidery appearance, the 30 Doradus complex is a monstrous stellar factory. It is the largest emission nebula in the sky, and can be seen far down in the southern sky at a distance of about 170,000 light - years, in the southern constellation Dorado. It is part of one of the Milky Way's neighbouring galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Tarantula Nebula contains some of the most massive stars known

Around the Tarantula Nebula - Around the Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud - The Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070, is a vast star-forming region located north of the Great Magellan Cloud galaxy in the southern hemisphere about 170,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. Known as the Tarantula Nebula for its spidery appearance, the 30 Doradus complex is a monstrous stellar factory. It is the largest emission nebula in the sky, and can be seen far down in the southern sky at a distance of about 170,000 light - years, in the southern constellation Dorado. It is part of one of the Milky Way's neighbouring galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Tarantula Nebula contains some of the most massive stars known

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Nebula near the star S Mon in Unicorn - Fox Fur nebula in Monoceros - Nebula around the bright star S Monocerotis in the constellation Unicorn. S My belongs to a young cluster of stars located about 2600 years from Earth. The region around the 4.7 magnitude star S Mon is a fascinating mixture of red fluorescent hydrogen and dark, obscuring dust lanes. Some dust patches are close enough to bright stars to reflect light from them; these appear blue for the same reason that the day - time sky is blue - because some of the interstellar particles preferentially scatter blue light. The dust is mixed with gas and this affects the appearance of the emission nebulae, giving some of the faintest a curious 'fox fur' texture in this enhanced photograph. S Mon is part of a young open cluster of stars named NGC 2264 located about 2600 light years away, just north of the Cone nebula

Nebula near the star S Mon in Unicorn - Fox Fur nebula in Monoceros - Nebula around the bright star S Monocerotis in the constellation Unicorn. S My belongs to a young cluster of stars located about 2600 years from Earth. The region around the 4.7 magnitude star S Mon is a fascinating mixture of red fluorescent hydrogen and dark, obscuring dust lanes. Some dust patches are close enough to bright stars to reflect light from them; these appear blue for the same reason that the day - time sky is blue - because some of the interstellar particles preferentially scatter blue light. The dust is mixed with gas and this affects the appearance of the emission nebulae, giving some of the faintest a curious 'fox fur' texture in this enhanced photograph. S Mon is part of a young open cluster of stars named NGC 2264 located about 2600 light years away, just north of the Cone nebula

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Nebula of the cone NGC 2264 and S star Monocerotis - NGC 2264 and S Monocerotis - Region H II located about 2600 years - light from Earth. The bright star is S Monocerotis, a star of magnitude 4.7. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The region around the 4.7 magnitude star S Mon is a fascinating mixture of red fluorescent hydrogen and dark, obscuring dust lanes. Some dust patches are close enough to bright stars to reflect light from them; these appear blue for the same reason that the day - time sky is blue - because some of the interstellar particles preferentially scatter blue light. Some of the wispy tendrils of nebulosity are Herbig - Haro objects, jets of matter ejected from newly - formed stars still hidden within the nebula. About 250 stars have been recognised as members of NGC 2264 which is at a distance of about 2700 light years

Nebula of the cone NGC 2264 and S star Monocerotis - NGC 2264 and S Monocerotis - Region H II located about 2600 years - light from Earth. The bright star is S Monocerotis, a star of magnitude 4.7. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The region around the 4.7 magnitude star S Mon is a fascinating mixture of red fluorescent hydrogen and dark, obscuring dust lanes. Some dust patches are close enough to bright stars to reflect light from them; these appear blue for the same reason that the day - time sky is blue - because some of the interstellar particles preferentially scatter blue light. Some of the wispy tendrils of nebulosity are Herbig - Haro objects, jets of matter ejected from newly - formed stars still hidden within the nebula. About 250 stars have been recognised as members of NGC 2264 which is at a distance of about 2700 light years

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

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

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

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

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Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene in fake colors - NGC 3372 Carina nebula in narrow band - The nebula of the Carene is located about 8000 years - light from Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the massive star Eta Carinae in the centre of the nebula. Image obtained by the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope of Siding Spring through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur. Although no bright naked - eye stars are associated with the Carina nebula now, 150 years ago there blazed forth here one of the most unusual and peculiar stars ever seen. The star is known as Eta Carinae and for a few months in 1843 it was the second or third brightest star in the sky. Since then it has faded and is today about 1000 times fainter than it was at its brightest as the nebula it created during its outburst has cooled and become opaque. The whole region around Eta Carinae is rich in hot stars of which Eta is an extreme example and it is their combined radiation that produces the spect

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene in fake colors - NGC 3372 Carina nebula in narrow band - The nebula of the Carene is located about 8000 years - light from Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the massive star Eta Carinae in the centre of the nebula. Image obtained by the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope of Siding Spring through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur. Although no bright naked - eye stars are associated with the Carina nebula now, 150 years ago there blazed forth here one of the most unusual and peculiar stars ever seen. The star is known as Eta Carinae and for a few months in 1843 it was the second or third brightest star in the sky. Since then it has faded and is today about 1000 times fainter than it was at its brightest as the nebula it created during its outburst has cooled and become opaque. The whole region around Eta Carinae is rich in hot stars of which Eta is an extreme example and it is their combined radiation that produces the spect

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Nebula NGC 3576 in Carene - Star formation region NGC 3576 in Carina - NGC 3576 is located about 7000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Carene. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The stars that excite this unusual nebula, NGC 3576, are not visible on this photograph. They are hidden in the dusty cloud at the 'base' (south) of the huge loops of nebulosity. This is material that has been blown out by radiation pressure and stellar winds from the concealed stars. Silhouetted against the tenuous loops are dark clouds of dust with bright rims which indicate the direction of the stars which excite the nebula. This large complex of gas and dust is at about the same distance as the much brighter Eta Carinae nebula, about 7000 light years away

Nebula NGC 3576 in Carene - Star formation region NGC 3576 in Carina - NGC 3576 is located about 7000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Carene. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The stars that excite this unusual nebula, NGC 3576, are not visible on this photograph. They are hidden in the dusty cloud at the 'base' (south) of the huge loops of nebulosity. This is material that has been blown out by radiation pressure and stellar winds from the concealed stars. Silhouetted against the tenuous loops are dark clouds of dust with bright rims which indicate the direction of the stars which excite the nebula. This large complex of gas and dust is at about the same distance as the much brighter Eta Carinae nebula, about 7000 light years away

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Nebula NGC 3603 in Carene - Star formation region NGC 3603 in Carina - NGC 3603 is located about 7000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Carene. Within this nebula, a cluster of massive stars, Wolf - Rayet stars. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Although stars are well known to form in clusters, most of the stars in the young groups we know of in our own galaxy are well separated in space. In NGC 3603 the stars are remarkably close together. Moreover, many of the stars in this compact constellation are Wolf - Rayet stars, extremely hot, massive objects, rarely found in such profusion in clusters. Exactly why some clusters form massive stars and others do not is a hot topic in astronomy, so this cluster and its environment has been extensively studied. This curious collection of young objects is, as far as we know, unique in our galaxy, though the enigmatic object at the centre of the Tarantula Nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud is now known to be a similar

Nebula NGC 3603 in Carene - Star formation region NGC 3603 in Carina - NGC 3603 is located about 7000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Carene. Within this nebula, a cluster of massive stars, Wolf - Rayet stars. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Although stars are well known to form in clusters, most of the stars in the young groups we know of in our own galaxy are well separated in space. In NGC 3603 the stars are remarkably close together. Moreover, many of the stars in this compact constellation are Wolf - Rayet stars, extremely hot, massive objects, rarely found in such profusion in clusters. Exactly why some clusters form massive stars and others do not is a hot topic in astronomy, so this cluster and its environment has been extensively studied. This curious collection of young objects is, as far as we know, unique in our galaxy, though the enigmatic object at the centre of the Tarantula Nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud is now known to be a similar

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Nebula NGC 6164 - 5 in the Rule - The emission nebula NGC 6164 - 65 - This nebula is located about 4000 years - light from Earth. It is a bipolar nebula around a very hot star at the end of life, the star HD 148937. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Superficially similar to a planetary nebula, NGC 6164 - 5 is in reality a rather unusual object associated with a rather unusual star. The vivid blue central star, known only as HD 148937, is the brightest member of a triple system of stars in orbit around each other. This extremely hot star is loosing mass from its outer layers continuously, but occasionally more vigorous outbursts give rise to the symmetrical shells seen in this picture. The two catalogue numbers, NGC 6164 and 6165, refer to these shells as separate objects

Nebula NGC 6164 - 5 in the Rule - The emission nebula NGC 6164 - 65 - This nebula is located about 4000 years - light from Earth. It is a bipolar nebula around a very hot star at the end of life, the star HD 148937. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Superficially similar to a planetary nebula, NGC 6164 - 5 is in reality a rather unusual object associated with a rather unusual star. The vivid blue central star, known only as HD 148937, is the brightest member of a triple system of stars in orbit around each other. This extremely hot star is loosing mass from its outer layers continuously, but occasionally more vigorous outbursts give rise to the symmetrical shells seen in this picture. The two catalogue numbers, NGC 6164 and 6165, refer to these shells as separate objects

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Nebula by reflexion in NGC 6188 in the Altar - Reflection nebula in NGC 6188 in Ara - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The fainter stars here are cool, like those that orbit the inner 'bulge' of the Milky Way and appear slightly yellow on colour pictures. The foreground patch of dust that crosses this photograph must be illuminated by energetic radiation from stars that are much hotter than those in the background because hydrogen, which is associated with the dust, has been excited into a vivid red fluorescence by absorbing the invisible ultraviolet light. Here and there a few bright but cooler stars are caught up in the outskirts of dust clouds and some of their light is scattered to produce the blue reflection nebulae

Nebula by reflexion in NGC 6188 in the Altar - Reflection nebula in NGC 6188 in Ara - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The fainter stars here are cool, like those that orbit the inner 'bulge' of the Milky Way and appear slightly yellow on colour pictures. The foreground patch of dust that crosses this photograph must be illuminated by energetic radiation from stars that are much hotter than those in the background because hydrogen, which is associated with the dust, has been excited into a vivid red fluorescence by absorbing the invisible ultraviolet light. Here and there a few bright but cooler stars are caught up in the outskirts of dust clouds and some of their light is scattered to produce the blue reflection nebulae

PIX4619295

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

Siding Spring Observatory - Australia - David Malin at the center of the 3.9m telescope (AAT

Siding Spring Observatory - Australia - David Malin at the center of the 3.9m telescope (AAT

PIX4656372

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

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

PIX4620872

Nebula N55 in the Great Magellan Cloud - Star forming region north of the Great Magellan Cloud. Image from the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope of Siding Spring

Nebula N55 in the Great Magellan Cloud - Star forming region north of the Great Magellan Cloud. Image from the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope of Siding Spring

PIX4620885

Nebula IC 2948 in Centaur - Bok's cells - A group of Bok globules in IC 2948 - View of a detail of nebula IC 2948 in the center Centaur on Bok's cells. A Bok's blood cell is a dark interstellar cloud of gases and dust that absorb light. If it condenses enough, it gives birth to new stars. The dark spots in the picture are not photographic defects but an unusual type of interstellar cloud known as a Bok globule. Bok globules, named after astronomer Bart Bok who studied them extensively, are small dark clouds made of gas and dust that are typically condensing to form a star or stars. These Bok globules are located at a distance of about 6000 light years near IC 2944 cluster in the emission nebula IC 2948

Nebula IC 2948 in Centaur - Bok's cells - A group of Bok globules in IC 2948 - View of a detail of nebula IC 2948 in the center Centaur on Bok's cells. A Bok's blood cell is a dark interstellar cloud of gases and dust that absorb light. If it condenses enough, it gives birth to new stars. The dark spots in the picture are not photographic defects but an unusual type of interstellar cloud known as a Bok globule. Bok globules, named after astronomer Bart Bok who studied them extensively, are small dark clouds made of gas and dust that are typically condensing to form a star or stars. These Bok globules are located at a distance of about 6000 light years near IC 2944 cluster in the emission nebula IC 2948

PIX4622532

Planetary nebula NGC 2899 dans les Voiles - A distorted planetary nebula, NGC 2899 - This nebula is located about 3000 years from Earth. Image obtained by the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring Planetary nebulae present a wide variety of forms on the sky, partly because of the random orientation of their parent stars but also because the nebulae themselves can have quite different intrinsic shapes. Theories about the shapes of planetaries range from the influence of binary companions to the central star to the distribution of material around the stars during its red giant phase, before the final outburst. Whatever the mechanism, most planetaries are symmetrical about one or more axes and only rarely do they appear curved like NGC 2899. A possible explanation is that the star from which the nebula was ejected had a large proper motion through space. The resulting nebula has the same velocity but vastly lower density than the star so is distorted by its encounter with the tenuous interstell

Planetary nebula NGC 2899 dans les Voiles - A distorted planetary nebula, NGC 2899 - This nebula is located about 3000 years from Earth. Image obtained by the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring Planetary nebulae present a wide variety of forms on the sky, partly because of the random orientation of their parent stars but also because the nebulae themselves can have quite different intrinsic shapes. Theories about the shapes of planetaries range from the influence of binary companions to the central star to the distribution of material around the stars during its red giant phase, before the final outburst. Whatever the mechanism, most planetaries are symmetrical about one or more axes and only rarely do they appear curved like NGC 2899. A possible explanation is that the star from which the nebula was ejected had a large proper motion through space. The resulting nebula has the same velocity but vastly lower density than the star so is distorted by its encounter with the tenuous interstell

PIX4622995

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral 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

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral 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

PIX4609175

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral 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

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral 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

PIX4609181

The Large Magellanic Cloud - The Large Magellanic Cloud - The Great Magellan Cloud galaxy is located about 160,000 light years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Dorado. Visible with the naked eye in the southern hemishere it is one of the closest galaxies to us. It contains large star-forming zones such as the Tarantula Nebula (30 Sea bream, visible to the left), the most active star-forming regions of the local group. Image obtained by the 1.2m UK Schmidt telescope from Siding Spring, Australia. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the nearest galaxy to the Milky Way but less than one tenth as massive; even so it contains the equivalent of over ten billion solar masses of material in the form of stars, gas and dust. The LMC is at a distance of 160,000 light years and is visible to the unaided eye from southern latitudes, rather like a detached piece of the Milky Way. The nearness of the LMC ensures that it is well resolved into stars in quite a modest telescope, and deep

The Large Magellanic Cloud - The Large Magellanic Cloud - The Great Magellan Cloud galaxy is located about 160,000 light years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Dorado. Visible with the naked eye in the southern hemishere it is one of the closest galaxies to us. It contains large star-forming zones such as the Tarantula Nebula (30 Sea bream, visible to the left), the most active star-forming regions of the local group. Image obtained by the 1.2m UK Schmidt telescope from Siding Spring, Australia. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the nearest galaxy to the Milky Way but less than one tenth as massive; even so it contains the equivalent of over ten billion solar masses of material in the form of stars, gas and dust. The LMC is at a distance of 160,000 light years and is visible to the unaided eye from southern latitudes, rather like a detached piece of the Milky Way. The nearness of the LMC ensures that it is well resolved into stars in quite a modest telescope, and deep

PIX4613427

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 6744 in the constellation Peacock - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 6744 in Pavo - The galaxy NGC 6744 is located about 25 million years ago - light from Earth. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. This beautiful galaxy is about 25 million light years away in the direction of Pavo, a constellation of the southern hemisphere winter. It sits in a rich starfield, and is strongly inclined to our line of sight. NGC 6744 is believed to one of the most Milky Way - like of all the nearby spirals, with fluffy (flocculent) spiral arms and a large and distinctly elongated nucleus. It also has other similarities to the Milky Way that are not visible here with at least one distorted companion galaxy superficially similar to one of the Magellanic Clouds

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 6744 in the constellation Peacock - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 6744 in Pavo - The galaxy NGC 6744 is located about 25 million years ago - light from Earth. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. This beautiful galaxy is about 25 million light years away in the direction of Pavo, a constellation of the southern hemisphere winter. It sits in a rich starfield, and is strongly inclined to our line of sight. NGC 6744 is believed to one of the most Milky Way - like of all the nearby spirals, with fluffy (flocculent) spiral arms and a large and distinctly elongated nucleus. It also has other similarities to the Milky Way that are not visible here with at least one distorted companion galaxy superficially similar to one of the Magellanic Clouds

PIX4612966

Star cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438 - Open cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438 - M46 (NGC 2437) is an age cluster located at 5400 years - light. It contains about 500 stars, 150 of which are brilliant. It is about 300 million years old. The planetary nebula NGC 2438 does not appear to belong to this cluster, and must be closer although its distance is unknown. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope The open cluster NGC 2437 (M46) has an angular diameter of almost half a degree and is quite beautiful in even quite a modest telescope. It has an integrated magnitude of about 6 and so is on the threshold of naked - eye visibility. The cluster is quite old as these things go, about 300 million light years. It is about 5000 light years distant, in the northern part of the constellation of Puppis. Although planetary nebula distances are notoriously difficult to measure, NGC 2438 seems to be in the foreground and is not connected to the cluster. Planetaries are in an

Star cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438 - Open cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438 - M46 (NGC 2437) is an age cluster located at 5400 years - light. It contains about 500 stars, 150 of which are brilliant. It is about 300 million years old. The planetary nebula NGC 2438 does not appear to belong to this cluster, and must be closer although its distance is unknown. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope The open cluster NGC 2437 (M46) has an angular diameter of almost half a degree and is quite beautiful in even quite a modest telescope. It has an integrated magnitude of about 6 and so is on the threshold of naked - eye visibility. The cluster is quite old as these things go, about 300 million light years. It is about 5000 light years distant, in the northern part of the constellation of Puppis. Although planetary nebula distances are notoriously difficult to measure, NGC 2438 seems to be in the foreground and is not connected to the cluster. Planetaries are in an

PIX4568052

Open cluster NGC 3293 in Carene - Open star cluster NGC 3293 in Carina - Star cluster located in the constellation Carene about 8500 years ago - light from Earth. Unlike the Sun, many stars are found in brilliant clusters such as NGC 3293 where they spend their lives. At birth, which should have been at much the same time for all the stars in NGC 3293, the most massive stars are hot and very luminous and therefore appear as the brightest blue stars. With time they deplete their supplies of nuclear fuel, hydrogen. This evolutionary process involves cooling, so that the stars become redder, and would ordinarily disappear from view, but they also swell to gigantic proportions and so remain visible. The bright orange star in NGC 3293 is the member of the cluster which has aged fastest. This cluster is in the constellation of Carina at a distance of about 8500 light years

Open cluster NGC 3293 in Carene - Open star cluster NGC 3293 in Carina - Star cluster located in the constellation Carene about 8500 years ago - light from Earth. Unlike the Sun, many stars are found in brilliant clusters such as NGC 3293 where they spend their lives. At birth, which should have been at much the same time for all the stars in NGC 3293, the most massive stars are hot and very luminous and therefore appear as the brightest blue stars. With time they deplete their supplies of nuclear fuel, hydrogen. This evolutionary process involves cooling, so that the stars become redder, and would ordinarily disappear from view, but they also swell to gigantic proportions and so remain visible. The bright orange star in NGC 3293 is the member of the cluster which has aged fastest. This cluster is in the constellation of Carina at a distance of about 8500 light years

PIX4568196

Open cluster M67 (NGC 2682) in Cancer - Open cluster M67 in Cancer - M67 (NGC 2682) is a cluster of age stars situated 2500 years - light. This is one of the oldest open clusters, it would have 3.2 billion years. Image obtained by Siding Spring Messier's 3.9m telescope saw this fine open cluster in 1780, indeed it is hard to miss, being almost 30 arc minutes in diameter. The cluster is about 2500 light years away and is among the oldest open clusters

Open cluster M67 (NGC 2682) in Cancer - Open cluster M67 in Cancer - M67 (NGC 2682) is a cluster of age stars situated 2500 years - light. This is one of the oldest open clusters, it would have 3.2 billion years. Image obtained by Siding Spring Messier's 3.9m telescope saw this fine open cluster in 1780, indeed it is hard to miss, being almost 30 arc minutes in diameter. The cluster is about 2500 light years away and is among the oldest open clusters

PIX4568201

Open cluster NGC 6242 in Scorpio - Open star cluster NGC 6242 in Scorpius - This cluster is about 3500 years old - light from the Sun and is about 50 million years old. A bright yellow star is in the foreground. This cluster is one of many in the sparkling southern constellation of Scorpius. It is marked by a bright yellow star (spectral type K5) which happens to be in the foreground at a distance of about 1000 light years. The cluster itself is about 3,500 light years from the sun. The cluster is slightly dimmed by foreground dust. This so - called interstellar extinction is common with object close to the Galactic plane. Despite this, it is possible to estimate the age of the cluster by measuring the color and relative brightness of its stars. The age turns out to be about 50 million years, which is quite mature for an open cluster of this type. By now, most of the brightest stars will have turned into supernovae and vanished, leaving this quite modest group to compete with the many

Open cluster NGC 6242 in Scorpio - Open star cluster NGC 6242 in Scorpius - This cluster is about 3500 years old - light from the Sun and is about 50 million years old. A bright yellow star is in the foreground. This cluster is one of many in the sparkling southern constellation of Scorpius. It is marked by a bright yellow star (spectral type K5) which happens to be in the foreground at a distance of about 1000 light years. The cluster itself is about 3,500 light years from the sun. The cluster is slightly dimmed by foreground dust. This so - called interstellar extinction is common with object close to the Galactic plane. Despite this, it is possible to estimate the age of the cluster by measuring the color and relative brightness of its stars. The age turns out to be about 50 million years, which is quite mature for an open cluster of this type. By now, most of the brightest stars will have turned into supernovae and vanished, leaving this quite modest group to compete with the many

PIX4568311

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

Globular cluster M5 in Serpens - Globular cluster M5 in Serpens - This cluster of stars is located about 25,000 light years away from Earth. It is one of the most extensive (165 years - light) and one of the oldest known globular clusters.

Globular cluster M5 in Serpens - Globular cluster M5 in Serpens - This cluster of stars is located about 25,000 light years away from Earth. It is one of the most extensive (165 years - light) and one of the oldest known globular clusters.

PIX4564527

Globular clusters NGC 6522 and NGC 6528 in Sagittarius - Baade's Window, around NGC 6522 - NGC 6522 (right) and NGC 6528 (left) are two clusters located about 25,000 years ago - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

Globular clusters NGC 6522 and NGC 6528 in Sagittarius - Baade's Window, around NGC 6522 - NGC 6522 (right) and NGC 6528 (left) are two clusters located about 25,000 years ago - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

PIX4564844

Globular cluster NGC 6752 in the Peacock - Globular cluster NGC 6752 in Pavo - This cluster of stars is about 14,000 years old - light from Earth

Globular cluster NGC 6752 in the Peacock - Globular cluster NGC 6752 in Pavo - This cluster of stars is about 14,000 years old - light from Earth

PIX4565039

Cluster of galaxies IC 4765 - Cluster of galaxies IC 4765 in Pavo - Cluster of galaxies in the southern constellation Peacock. Image from the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope of Siding Spring

Cluster of galaxies IC 4765 - Cluster of galaxies IC 4765 in Pavo - Cluster of galaxies in the southern constellation Peacock. Image from the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope of Siding Spring

PIX4565323

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

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

PIX4571773

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1097 - NGC 1097, a barred spiral galaxy and elliptical companion - Located at a distance of about 45 million years - light in the constellation of the Furnneau, NGC 1097 is subject to intense star formation and is an active nucleus galaxy with a supermassive black hole in its heart. At the top right of the image, a special elliptical satellite galaxy, NGC 1097A, probably interacted with NGC 1097 in the past. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1097 is a fine, barred spiral galaxy seen from a distance of about 50 million light years. The galaxy is unusual in several respects. It is a fairly strong radio source and is also bright at far infrared wavelenghts, indicating the presence of warm dust. The galaxy is also interacting woth a small elliptical galaxy, seen in the upper right (NW) corner of the picture. This galaxy shows the subtle interleaved 'shells' or stepped changes in brightness resulting from the interaction. Finally, the galaxy is k

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1097 - NGC 1097, a barred spiral galaxy and elliptical companion - Located at a distance of about 45 million years - light in the constellation of the Furnneau, NGC 1097 is subject to intense star formation and is an active nucleus galaxy with a supermassive black hole in its heart. At the top right of the image, a special elliptical satellite galaxy, NGC 1097A, probably interacted with NGC 1097 in the past. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1097 is a fine, barred spiral galaxy seen from a distance of about 50 million light years. The galaxy is unusual in several respects. It is a fairly strong radio source and is also bright at far infrared wavelenghts, indicating the presence of warm dust. The galaxy is also interacting woth a small elliptical galaxy, seen in the upper right (NW) corner of the picture. This galaxy shows the subtle interleaved 'shells' or stepped changes in brightness resulting from the interaction. Finally, the galaxy is k

PIX4609643

Supernova 1987A before and after explosion - Supernova 1987A before and after the explosion - Images of the Supernova 1987A, on the left, obtained on March 8, 1987, and of the same photograph field on the right on February 5, 1984. Images obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation Doradus on February 23, 1987. Sometime during 23 February 1987 a supernova exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby galaxy. However, the LMC is about 170,000 light years distant, so the supernova exploded 170,000 years ago. It was discovered the following day and brightened rapidly to become the first supernova to be easily visible to the unaided eye for almost 400 years. This photograph shows the field around the site of the supernova in great detail, both before the supernova exploded (right) and about 10 days afterwards, when it was still brightening

Supernova 1987A before and after explosion - Supernova 1987A before and after the explosion - Images of the Supernova 1987A, on the left, obtained on March 8, 1987, and of the same photograph field on the right on February 5, 1984. Images obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation Doradus on February 23, 1987. Sometime during 23 February 1987 a supernova exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby galaxy. However, the LMC is about 170,000 light years distant, so the supernova exploded 170,000 years ago. It was discovered the following day and brightened rapidly to become the first supernova to be easily visible to the unaided eye for almost 400 years. This photograph shows the field around the site of the supernova in great detail, both before the supernova exploded (right) and about 10 days afterwards, when it was still brightening

PIX4582336

Tarantula Nebula and Supernova 1987A - The Tarantula Nebula and supernova 1987a in the LMC - Tarantula Nebula photographed in 1987, two weeks after the appearance of the 1987A supernova. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation Doradus on February 23, 1987. The brightest star in this picture is the first supernova to be visible to the unaided eye for almost 400 years. It occured in a region rich in young, blue stars and it was one of these which destroyed itself. When this picture was taken, about 2 weeks after the supernova was discovered, at the end of February, 1987, the expanding shell of material had already changed from blue to orange - red as it cooled. The location of the supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) means that it can only be seen from the southern hemisphere

Tarantula Nebula and Supernova 1987A - The Tarantula Nebula and supernova 1987a in the LMC - Tarantula Nebula photographed in 1987, two weeks after the appearance of the 1987A supernova. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation Doradus on February 23, 1987. The brightest star in this picture is the first supernova to be visible to the unaided eye for almost 400 years. It occured in a region rich in young, blue stars and it was one of these which destroyed itself. When this picture was taken, about 2 weeks after the supernova was discovered, at the end of February, 1987, the expanding shell of material had already changed from blue to orange - red as it cooled. The location of the supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) means that it can only be seen from the southern hemisphere

PIX4582389

Remains of the supernova of the Sails - Detail - Vela supernova remnant. Detail - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. A supernova event marks the catastrophic end - point in the life of a massive star. The self - destruction of the star releases a huge amount of energy as radiation of all kinds, but a substantial fraction of the force of the explosion blasts the outer part of the supernova into an expanding shell of matter that travels through the almost empty space between the stars. As the rapidly moving blast wave encounters the relatively stationary interstellar medium it creates a very narrow, luminous shock front that appears as a faint nebula. Because the shock front is very convoluted the nebulosity appears to be highly structured and the various colours define different energy levels within the interaction. Although the star responsible for the Vela supernova remnant exploded 12,000 years ago, it is still affecting its env

Remains of the supernova of the Sails - Detail - Vela supernova remnant. Detail - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. A supernova event marks the catastrophic end - point in the life of a massive star. The self - destruction of the star releases a huge amount of energy as radiation of all kinds, but a substantial fraction of the force of the explosion blasts the outer part of the supernova into an expanding shell of matter that travels through the almost empty space between the stars. As the rapidly moving blast wave encounters the relatively stationary interstellar medium it creates a very narrow, luminous shock front that appears as a faint nebula. Because the shock front is very convoluted the nebulosity appears to be highly structured and the various colours define different energy levels within the interaction. Although the star responsible for the Vela supernova remnant exploded 12,000 years ago, it is still affecting its env

PIX4582820

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

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

PIX4582923

Central region of the elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - Central part of the galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. The green dot visible in the dust strip is a supernova, the supernova 1986g. It appears green because the red filter image that made this trichromy image was only taken a year after the event and the supernova had weakened. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. The nearby radio source Centaurus A (NGC 5128) looks like an elliptical galaxy, crossed by a broad, irregular dust lane. The dark band is probably the remains of a dusty spiral galaxy which is being absorbed by the giant elliptical. One

Central region of the elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - Central part of the galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. The green dot visible in the dust strip is a supernova, the supernova 1986g. It appears green because the red filter image that made this trichromy image was only taken a year after the event and the supernova had weakened. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. The nearby radio source Centaurus A (NGC 5128) looks like an elliptical galaxy, crossed by a broad, irregular dust lane. The dark band is probably the remains of a dusty spiral galaxy which is being absorbed by the giant elliptical. One

PIX4612262

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

Around the Tarantula Nebula - Around the Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud - The Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070, is a vast star-forming region located north of the Great Magellan Cloud galaxy in the southern hemisphere about 170,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Known as the Tarantula Nebula for its spidery appearance, the 30 Doradus complex is a monstrous stellar factory. It is the largest emission nebula in the sky, and can be seen far down in the southern sky at a distance of about 170,000 light - years, in the southern constellation Dorado. It is part of one of the Milky Way's neighbouring galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Tarantula Nebula contains some of the most massive stars known

Around the Tarantula Nebula - Around the Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud - The Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070, is a vast star-forming region located north of the Great Magellan Cloud galaxy in the southern hemisphere about 170,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Known as the Tarantula Nebula for its spidery appearance, the 30 Doradus complex is a monstrous stellar factory. It is the largest emission nebula in the sky, and can be seen far down in the southern sky at a distance of about 170,000 light - years, in the southern constellation Dorado. It is part of one of the Milky Way's neighbouring galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Tarantula Nebula contains some of the most massive stars known

PIX4618312

The Rosette Nebula in the Unicorn - The Rosette Nebula and NGC 2244 cluster - The Rosette Nebula is a vast cloud of dust and gas located about 5500 years from Earth. Towards the center of the nebula, a cluster of blue stars, NGC 2244 formed less than a million years ago. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. The Rosette Nebula exhibits a striking circular symmetry which gives it the appearance of a partly opened rose, an allusion further enhanced by the rich red hues seen in this colour photograph. Near the centre of the nebula is a cluster of blue stars catalogued as NGC 2244. These stars are responsible for making the nebula visible and for creating the hollowed - out central cavity. This cluster of stars formed from the gas which now surrounds it less than a million years ago and is thus very young on the cosmic timescale. The gas and dust at the centre of the nebula have been forced away from the bright stars by radiation pressure and the intense stell

The Rosette Nebula in the Unicorn - The Rosette Nebula and NGC 2244 cluster - The Rosette Nebula is a vast cloud of dust and gas located about 5500 years from Earth. Towards the center of the nebula, a cluster of blue stars, NGC 2244 formed less than a million years ago. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. The Rosette Nebula exhibits a striking circular symmetry which gives it the appearance of a partly opened rose, an allusion further enhanced by the rich red hues seen in this colour photograph. Near the centre of the nebula is a cluster of blue stars catalogued as NGC 2244. These stars are responsible for making the nebula visible and for creating the hollowed - out central cavity. This cluster of stars formed from the gas which now surrounds it less than a million years ago and is thus very young on the cosmic timescale. The gas and dust at the centre of the nebula have been forced away from the bright stars by radiation pressure and the intense stell

PIX4618445

Nebulae NGC 1973 - 1975 - 1977 in Orion - The reflection nebulae NGC 1973 - 75 - 77 in Orion - Reflection nebulae located just north of the Great Orion Nebula. This group of nebulous stars is just half a degree north of the much brighter Orion Nebula and has largely been ignored because of it. The group of stars here appear as a single star to the unaided eye, the northernmost 'star' in the sword of Orion. Most of the blue nebulosity is starlight scattered by dust, while some of the stars are sufficiently hot to excite the wisps of hydrogen that linger here and create a distinctive red glow

Nebulae NGC 1973 - 1975 - 1977 in Orion - The reflection nebulae NGC 1973 - 75 - 77 in Orion - Reflection nebulae located just north of the Great Orion Nebula. This group of nebulous stars is just half a degree north of the much brighter Orion Nebula and has largely been ignored because of it. The group of stars here appear as a single star to the unaided eye, the northernmost 'star' in the sword of Orion. Most of the blue nebulosity is starlight scattered by dust, while some of the stars are sufficiently hot to excite the wisps of hydrogen that linger here and create a distinctive red glow

PIX4618057

Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - View of the Omega nebula (M17/NGC 6618) located in the constellation Sagittarius at a distance of 5700 light years. This object derives its name from its looped shape reminiscent of the Greek letter when the nebula is seen in a telescope. The gas cloud is unusual in that it does not appear to be illuminated by the bright stars that commonly found in emission nebulae such as this. However, the nebulosity is very bright, so the exciting stars must be hidden within the cloud, an idea confirmed by the infrared brightness of the nebula. As well as exciting the nebula we can see, the embedded stars heat the dust that surrounds them, so M17 is one of the brightest objects in the infrared sky. It is about 6000 light years distant

Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - View of the Omega nebula (M17/NGC 6618) located in the constellation Sagittarius at a distance of 5700 light years. This object derives its name from its looped shape reminiscent of the Greek letter when the nebula is seen in a telescope. The gas cloud is unusual in that it does not appear to be illuminated by the bright stars that commonly found in emission nebulae such as this. However, the nebulosity is very bright, so the exciting stars must be hidden within the cloud, an idea confirmed by the infrared brightness of the nebula. As well as exciting the nebula we can see, the embedded stars heat the dust that surrounds them, so M17 is one of the brightest objects in the infrared sky. It is about 6000 light years distant

PIX4620118

Horse's Head Nebula (IC 434) in Orion - Horsehead nebula in Orion - The horse's head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emitting nebula about 1500 years - light of the Earth in the constellation Orion. At the bottom left, the nebula NGC 2024 with just above the star Alnitak, a supergiant star belonging to the Baudrier of Orion. Towards the center of the image, a reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. This distinctive red emission nebula (IC 434) is the result of radiation from sigma Orionis interacting with the surface of a dusty cloud of gas from which projects the dark shape of the head of a horse. Sigma is the second brightest star in the picture and is at about the same distance from the Sun as the nebula. The brightest star here is zeta Orionis, easily visible to the unaided eye as the easternmost star in the line of three which form Orion's Belt. Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) is a supergiant star

Horse's Head Nebula (IC 434) in Orion - Horsehead nebula in Orion - The horse's head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emitting nebula about 1500 years - light of the Earth in the constellation Orion. At the bottom left, the nebula NGC 2024 with just above the star Alnitak, a supergiant star belonging to the Baudrier of Orion. Towards the center of the image, a reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. This distinctive red emission nebula (IC 434) is the result of radiation from sigma Orionis interacting with the surface of a dusty cloud of gas from which projects the dark shape of the head of a horse. Sigma is the second brightest star in the picture and is at about the same distance from the Sun as the nebula. The brightest star here is zeta Orionis, easily visible to the unaided eye as the easternmost star in the line of three which form Orion's Belt. Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) is a supergiant star

PIX4621983

Old open cluster NGC 2818 and planetary nebula NGC 2818A - Old Open cluster NGC 2818 and planetary nebula in Pyxis - The open cluster NGC 2818 in the southern constellation of the Compsole is distinguished by the fact that most of its bright stars have already become supernovae; this indicates that this cluster must be very old, perhaps a billion years. It has a planetary nebula, NGC 2818A, a star at the end of life. These objects are located approximately 10,000 light years away from Earth. The open cluster NGC 2818 is not very conspicuous because most of the brilliant, massive stars that normally distinguish such groupings have vanished as supernovae, indicating that the cluster is quite mature. The massive stars dominating the scene in young clusters leaving the fainter, long - lived stars behind. Eventually, they too come to the end of their lives, throwing off their outer layers as planetary nebulae. This one, identified as NGC 2818A, is particularly graceful, and its existence su

Old open cluster NGC 2818 and planetary nebula NGC 2818A - Old Open cluster NGC 2818 and planetary nebula in Pyxis - The open cluster NGC 2818 in the southern constellation of the Compsole is distinguished by the fact that most of its bright stars have already become supernovae; this indicates that this cluster must be very old, perhaps a billion years. It has a planetary nebula, NGC 2818A, a star at the end of life. These objects are located approximately 10,000 light years away from Earth. The open cluster NGC 2818 is not very conspicuous because most of the brilliant, massive stars that normally distinguish such groupings have vanished as supernovae, indicating that the cluster is quite mature. The massive stars dominating the scene in young clusters leaving the fainter, long - lived stars behind. Eventually, they too come to the end of their lives, throwing off their outer layers as planetary nebulae. This one, identified as NGC 2818A, is particularly graceful, and its existence su

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