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Sir John Frederick William Herschel (1792-1871), c.1860 (stipple engraving)

Sir John Frederick William Herschel (1792-1871), c.1860 (stipple engraving)

Mayall, John Jabez Edwin Paisley (1813-1901) (after)

MMM7342122

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

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

PIX4613757

Spiral Galaxy NGC 4921 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 4921 - Galaxy NGC 4921 photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Located in the cluster of Coma galaxies (Abell 1656) is about 320 million light years old, this spiral galaxy presents an unusual structure with poorly marked arms; some young blue stars are visible but the activity of star formation here is much less strong than in other spiral galaxies. In the background, many more distant galaxies appear. This very deep image taken with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the spiral galaxy NGC 4921 along with a spectacular backdrop of more distant galaxies. The Coma Galaxy Cluster, in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices, the hair of Queen Berenice, is one of the closest very rich collections of galaxies in the nearby Universe. The cluster, also known as Abell 1656, is about 320 million light - years from Earth and contains more than 1000 members. The brightest galaxies, including NGC 4921 shown here, were discovered back

Spiral Galaxy NGC 4921 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 4921 - Galaxy NGC 4921 photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Located in the cluster of Coma galaxies (Abell 1656) is about 320 million light years old, this spiral galaxy presents an unusual structure with poorly marked arms; some young blue stars are visible but the activity of star formation here is much less strong than in other spiral galaxies. In the background, many more distant galaxies appear. This very deep image taken with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the spiral galaxy NGC 4921 along with a spectacular backdrop of more distant galaxies. The Coma Galaxy Cluster, in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices, the hair of Queen Berenice, is one of the closest very rich collections of galaxies in the nearby Universe. The cluster, also known as Abell 1656, is about 320 million light - years from Earth and contains more than 1000 members. The brightest galaxies, including NGC 4921 shown here, were discovered back

PIX4612034

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

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

PIX4613210

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

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

R. Jay GaBany

PIX4610325

Elephant tube nebula (VDB 142) in Cephee - The Elephant Trunk Nebula (VDB 142) in Cepheus - IC1396, VDB 142. Nebula located about 2700 years - light from Earth. Image obtained with a telescope 40 cm in diameter, through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur. The Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) in Cepheus is part of the larger IC 1396 complex which spans a large area of the sky measuring 170 by 140 arc - minutes and is one of the brightest emission nebulae with a magnitude of 3.5. The western portion of IC 1396 contains the Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) which is characterized with H - II emissions, dark lanes and globules as well as a small reflection nebula. The IC 1396 complex is technically a star cluster (aka Cr 439, Trumpler 37) owing to the presence of a developing open but loose cluster at the heart of this rich nebulosity. This open star cluster is comprised of 50 - 100 member stars which vary in brightness spanning an area of approximately 50 'in d

Elephant tube nebula (VDB 142) in Cephee - The Elephant Trunk Nebula (VDB 142) in Cepheus - IC1396, VDB 142. Nebula located about 2700 years - light from Earth. Image obtained with a telescope 40 cm in diameter, through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur. The Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) in Cepheus is part of the larger IC 1396 complex which spans a large area of the sky measuring 170 by 140 arc - minutes and is one of the brightest emission nebulae with a magnitude of 3.5. The western portion of IC 1396 contains the Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) which is characterized with H - II emissions, dark lanes and globules as well as a small reflection nebula. The IC 1396 complex is technically a star cluster (aka Cr 439, Trumpler 37) owing to the presence of a developing open but loose cluster at the heart of this rich nebulosity. This open star cluster is comprised of 50 - 100 member stars which vary in brightness spanning an area of approximately 50 'in d

PIX4622303

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

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

PIX4609570

Dodecatheon Meadia

Dodecatheon Meadia

CUB4511547

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

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

R. Gendler

PIX4609650

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

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

PIX4571724

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

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

PIX4609641

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth. 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. This image obtained by the Kueyen telescope of the VLT in Chile on 1 February 2000 shows the star flames that occur in the dark band of the galaxy. Centaurus A is one of the foremost examples of a radio - loud active galactic nucleus (AGN). On images obtained at optical wavelengths, thick dust layers almost completely obscure the galaxy's centre. Until 1949, NGC 5128 was thought to be a strange object in the Milky Way, but it was then identified as a powerful radio galaxy and designated Centaurus A. The distance is about 10 - 13 million light - years (3 - 4 Mpc) and the apparent visual magnitude is about 8, or 5 times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye. There is strong evidence th

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth. 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. This image obtained by the Kueyen telescope of the VLT in Chile on 1 February 2000 shows the star flames that occur in the dark band of the galaxy. Centaurus A is one of the foremost examples of a radio - loud active galactic nucleus (AGN). On images obtained at optical wavelengths, thick dust layers almost completely obscure the galaxy's centre. Until 1949, NGC 5128 was thought to be a strange object in the Milky Way, but it was then identified as a powerful radio galaxy and designated Centaurus A. The distance is about 10 - 13 million light - years (3 - 4 Mpc) and the apparent visual magnitude is about 8, or 5 times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye. There is strong evidence th

PIX4612179

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

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

PIX4609939

Nebula NGC 7023 in Cephee - NGC 7023 (The Iris Nebula) in Cepheus - The Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) is a reflexion nebula illuminated by the massive star HD 200775. The bright star HD 200775 shining through the nebula NGC 7023 is a 10 solar mass star centrally imbedded in a region surrounded by ambient molecular cloud material. Suns are born from vast clouds of dust and gas that gather in the dark places between the stars. Gravity causes these interstellar vapors to collapse inward until the pressure causes high enough temperatures at its center to fuse hydrogen, the university's basic building block, into helium - an event that also releases gamma - ray photons. These photons can take a million years to travel outward through the overlying matter until they reach the surface and escape into space as visible light. The push of the photon's rush to make an exit also stops the cloud's collapse and thus what began as thin gas and dust becomes a brilliant star illuminating the heavens and possi

Nebula NGC 7023 in Cephee - NGC 7023 (The Iris Nebula) in Cepheus - The Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) is a reflexion nebula illuminated by the massive star HD 200775. The bright star HD 200775 shining through the nebula NGC 7023 is a 10 solar mass star centrally imbedded in a region surrounded by ambient molecular cloud material. Suns are born from vast clouds of dust and gas that gather in the dark places between the stars. Gravity causes these interstellar vapors to collapse inward until the pressure causes high enough temperatures at its center to fuse hydrogen, the university's basic building block, into helium - an event that also releases gamma - ray photons. These photons can take a million years to travel outward through the overlying matter until they reach the surface and escape into space as visible light. The push of the photon's rush to make an exit also stops the cloud's collapse and thus what began as thin gas and dust becomes a brilliant star illuminating the heavens and possi

Adam Block

PIX4620555

Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 450 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by a 50 cm telescope, 42 poses of 15 minutes accumulated. Located in the constellation of Aquarius, the Helix is our closest planetary nebula at only 450 light years distance. It is so close that it can be telescopically seen shifting one side to the other in front of the more distant background stars as the earth moves around the sun - a phenomenon called parallax. Parallax measurements are used to trigonometrically deduce distance between an object in space and the earth. A planetary nebula results when a red giant star, near the ends of it's productive life, sheds its outer layers into space and creates a breathtaking shell of surrounding gas that early visual astronomers likened to the disks of planets. This planetary spans approximately 1.5 light years and is still expanding. The name associated with the Helix is derived from the c

Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 450 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by a 50 cm telescope, 42 poses of 15 minutes accumulated. Located in the constellation of Aquarius, the Helix is our closest planetary nebula at only 450 light years distance. It is so close that it can be telescopically seen shifting one side to the other in front of the more distant background stars as the earth moves around the sun - a phenomenon called parallax. Parallax measurements are used to trigonometrically deduce distance between an object in space and the earth. A planetary nebula results when a red giant star, near the ends of it's productive life, sheds its outer layers into space and creates a breathtaking shell of surrounding gas that early visual astronomers likened to the disks of planets. This planetary spans approximately 1.5 light years and is still expanding. The name associated with the Helix is derived from the c

R. Jay GaBany

PIX4623639

Planetary nebula M57 (NGC 6720) in Lyra - M57 (NGC 6720) planetary nebula in Lyra - The planetary nebula of Lyra (M57) is located about 2000 years - light from Earth. With a magnitude of 9.0, this nebula is easily observed with a small telescope. A planetary nebula is a gas shell from a small late-life star whose heart collapsed to become a white dwarf and expelled the outer layers of its matter. Composite image obtained by different telescopes. The Ring Nebula, M57, is the most famous example of a planetary nebula. Located about 2,000 light years away, it has an apparent diameter of 1 arc minute and a real diameter of about one light year. At magnitude 9.0 its high surface brightness makes it an easy object, even from the city and even with small telescopes. Planetary nebula are shells of gas shed by stars late in their life cycles after using up all of their nuclear fuel. The star then ejects a significant portion of its mass in a gaseous shell, which is illuminated by its extremely

Planetary nebula M57 (NGC 6720) in Lyra - M57 (NGC 6720) planetary nebula in Lyra - The planetary nebula of Lyra (M57) is located about 2000 years - light from Earth. With a magnitude of 9.0, this nebula is easily observed with a small telescope. A planetary nebula is a gas shell from a small late-life star whose heart collapsed to become a white dwarf and expelled the outer layers of its matter. Composite image obtained by different telescopes. The Ring Nebula, M57, is the most famous example of a planetary nebula. Located about 2,000 light years away, it has an apparent diameter of 1 arc minute and a real diameter of about one light year. At magnitude 9.0 its high surface brightness makes it an easy object, even from the city and even with small telescopes. Planetary nebula are shells of gas shed by stars late in their life cycles after using up all of their nuclear fuel. The star then ejects a significant portion of its mass in a gaseous shell, which is illuminated by its extremely

PIX4623359

Globular cluster M54 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster M54 in Sagittarius - The globular cluster M54 photographed by the Hubble space telescope (HST). M54 resides about 90,000 light years from Earth, in the dwarf galaxy of Sagittarius. The object shown in this beautiful Hubble image, dubbed Messier 54, could be just another globular cluster, but this dense and faint group of stars was in fact the first globular cluster found that is outside our galaxy. Discovered by the famous astronomer Charles Messier in 1778, Messier 54 belongs to a satellite of the Milky Way called the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy. Messier had no idea of the significance of his discovery at the time, and it wasn't until over two centuries later, in 1994, that astronomers found Messier 54 to be part of the miniature galaxy and not our own. Current estimates indicate that the Sagittarius dwarf, and hence the cluster, is situated almost 90 000 light - years away - - more than three times as far from the centre

Globular cluster M54 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster M54 in Sagittarius - The globular cluster M54 photographed by the Hubble space telescope (HST). M54 resides about 90,000 light years from Earth, in the dwarf galaxy of Sagittarius. The object shown in this beautiful Hubble image, dubbed Messier 54, could be just another globular cluster, but this dense and faint group of stars was in fact the first globular cluster found that is outside our galaxy. Discovered by the famous astronomer Charles Messier in 1778, Messier 54 belongs to a satellite of the Milky Way called the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy. Messier had no idea of the significance of his discovery at the time, and it wasn't until over two centuries later, in 1994, that astronomers found Messier 54 to be part of the miniature galaxy and not our own. Current estimates indicate that the Sagittarius dwarf, and hence the cluster, is situated almost 90 000 light - years away - - more than three times as far from the centre

PIX4565011

Spiral galaxy NGC 406 in Toucan - Spiral galaxy NGC 406 in Tucana - NGC 406 is a spiral galaxy located at a distance of about 65 million light years in the southern constellation of Toucan. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. The spiral galaxy NGC 406 was discovered in 1834 by John Herschel and is here imaged in great detail by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Located some 65 million light - years away, in the southern constellation of Tucana (the Toucan), NGC 406 is about 60 000 light - years across, roughly half the diameter of our galaxy, the Milky Way. In a moderate - sized amateur telescope NGC 406 would appear as a faint hazy blob, like thousands of others across the sky, and none of the spectacular fine detail in the Hubble picture could be made out. In this image the galaxy exhibits spiral arms that are mainly populated by young, massive, bluish stars and crossed by dark dust lanes. As is typically observed in this kind of spiral galaxy, the yellowish central bulg

Spiral galaxy NGC 406 in Toucan - Spiral galaxy NGC 406 in Tucana - NGC 406 is a spiral galaxy located at a distance of about 65 million light years in the southern constellation of Toucan. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. The spiral galaxy NGC 406 was discovered in 1834 by John Herschel and is here imaged in great detail by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Located some 65 million light - years away, in the southern constellation of Tucana (the Toucan), NGC 406 is about 60 000 light - years across, roughly half the diameter of our galaxy, the Milky Way. In a moderate - sized amateur telescope NGC 406 would appear as a faint hazy blob, like thousands of others across the sky, and none of the spectacular fine detail in the Hubble picture could be made out. In this image the galaxy exhibits spiral arms that are mainly populated by young, massive, bluish stars and crossed by dark dust lanes. As is typically observed in this kind of spiral galaxy, the yellowish central bulg

PIX4609197

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

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

PIX4610165

Attic red-figured bell-krater, c.410-400 BC (ceramic)

Attic red-figured bell-krater, c.410-400 BC (ceramic)

Nikias Painter (fl.c.420-c.400 BC) (attr. to)

CH3619102

Galaxy Clusters Abell 1689 - details - Gravitational lenses in Abell 1689 galaxy cluster - Close-up of the various gravitational mirages observed in the Abell 1689 galaxy cluster. Near infrared and visible image obtained by the Hubble space telescope in June 2002. 13 hours of installation. A selection of cropped images from a NASA Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys view of one of the most massive galaxy clusters known, called Abell 1689. These close - ups show “” lensed”” images of background galaxies that have been brightened and smeared by the gravitational bending of light by the foreground cluster. The yellow - white objects are the cluster galaxies located 2.2 billion light - years away. The blue arcs are the distorted images of background galaxies located billions of light - years farther away than Abell 1689. The distribution of both “” normal”” and dark matter, and the alignment of the background galaxies determine the amount of distortion. In a perfectly aligne

Galaxy Clusters Abell 1689 - details - Gravitational lenses in Abell 1689 galaxy cluster - Close-up of the various gravitational mirages observed in the Abell 1689 galaxy cluster. Near infrared and visible image obtained by the Hubble space telescope in June 2002. 13 hours of installation. A selection of cropped images from a NASA Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys view of one of the most massive galaxy clusters known, called Abell 1689. These close - ups show “” lensed”” images of background galaxies that have been brightened and smeared by the gravitational bending of light by the foreground cluster. The yellow - white objects are the cluster galaxies located 2.2 billion light - years away. The blue arcs are the distorted images of background galaxies located billions of light - years farther away than Abell 1689. The distribution of both “” normal”” and dark matter, and the alignment of the background galaxies determine the amount of distortion. In a perfectly aligne

PIX4565586

Map of Fossil Radiation Seen by Planck - The cosmic microwave background as seen by Planck - The European Space Agency's Planck space telescope is the source of the data on the most detailed map ever drawn of the Cosmological Hyperrequency background radiation - the fossil radiation of the Big Bang. This image is based on data from the first 15 months of Planck operation. It is the first image of this mission that shows on the whole sky the oldest emission of light that bathed our young Universe when it was only 380,000 years old. The Universe was then filled with a burning magma of protons, electrons, and photons intertwining at about 2700oC. The interaction between protons and electrons that gave rise to the hydrogen atoms then released light. As a result of the expansion of the Universe, this light has been extended until today reaches hyperfrequency wavelengths equivalent to a temperature of just 2.7 degrees above the absolute zero. This hyperfrequency cosmological background radia

Map of Fossil Radiation Seen by Planck - The cosmic microwave background as seen by Planck - The European Space Agency's Planck space telescope is the source of the data on the most detailed map ever drawn of the Cosmological Hyperrequency background radiation - the fossil radiation of the Big Bang. This image is based on data from the first 15 months of Planck operation. It is the first image of this mission that shows on the whole sky the oldest emission of light that bathed our young Universe when it was only 380,000 years old. The Universe was then filled with a burning magma of protons, electrons, and photons intertwining at about 2700oC. The interaction between protons and electrons that gave rise to the hydrogen atoms then released light. As a result of the expansion of the Universe, this light has been extended until today reaches hyperfrequency wavelengths equivalent to a temperature of just 2.7 degrees above the absolute zero. This hyperfrequency cosmological background radia

PIX4634328

Astrolabe, c.1570 (gilt brass)

Astrolabe, c.1570 (gilt brass)

Flemish School, (16th century)

CH3057865

Planetary nebula NGC 7027 in the Swan/HST - This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image of planetary nebula NGC 7027 shows remarkable new details of the process by which a star like the Sun dies. New features include: faint, blue, concentric shells surrounding the nebula; an extensive network of red dust clouds throughout the bright inner region; and the hot central white dwarf, visible as a white dot at the center. The nebula is a record of the star's final death throes. Initially the ejection of the star's outer layers, when it was at its red giant stage of evolution, occurred at a low rate and was spherical. The Hubble photo reveals that the initial ejections occurred episodically to produce the concentric shells. This culminated in a vigorous ejection of all of the remaining outer layers, which produced the bright inner regions. At this later stage the ejection was non - spherical, and dense clouds of dust condensed from the ejected material. NGC 7027 is located about 3,000 light - year

Planetary nebula NGC 7027 in the Swan/HST - This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image of planetary nebula NGC 7027 shows remarkable new details of the process by which a star like the Sun dies. New features include: faint, blue, concentric shells surrounding the nebula; an extensive network of red dust clouds throughout the bright inner region; and the hot central white dwarf, visible as a white dot at the center. The nebula is a record of the star's final death throes. Initially the ejection of the star's outer layers, when it was at its red giant stage of evolution, occurred at a low rate and was spherical. The Hubble photo reveals that the initial ejections occurred episodically to produce the concentric shells. This culminated in a vigorous ejection of all of the remaining outer layers, which produced the bright inner regions. At this later stage the ejection was non - spherical, and dense clouds of dust condensed from the ejected material. NGC 7027 is located about 3,000 light - year

PIX4623552

Engraving depicting observations at the beginning of the 18th Century

Engraving depicting observations at the beginning of the 18th Century

UIG5426098

Scarlet Starfish (Asterias rubens), close up

Scarlet Starfish (Asterias rubens), close up

UDK5442475

Engraving depicting refractor on a 'German' equatorial mounting. Dated 19th Century

Engraving depicting refractor on a 'German' equatorial mounting. Dated 19th Century

UIG5426155

Engraving depicting the Craig telescope, a large telescope built in the 1850s, and while much larger than previous refracting telescopes. Dated 19th Century

Engraving depicting the Craig telescope, a large telescope built in the 1850s, and while much larger than previous refracting telescopes. Dated 19th Century

UIG5426150

Planetary nebula M57 (NGC 6720) in Lyra - The Ring nebula (M57) in Lyra - The planetary nebula of Lyra (M57) is located about 2000 years - light from Earth. With a magnitude of 9.0, this nebula is easily observed with a small telescope. A planetary nebula is a gas shell from a small late-life star whose heart collapsed to become a white dwarf and expelled the outer layers of its matter. The Ring Nebula, M57, is the most famous example of a planetary nebula. Located about 2,000 light years away, it has an apparent diameter of 1 arc minute and a real diameter of about one light year. At magnitude 9.0 its high surface brightness makes it an easy object, even from the city and even with small telescopes. Despite their name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets. They were named originally because their discoverers observed them visually and they did not appear as stellar point sources, but rather as small diffuse objects that resembled the outer planets in our solar system such

Planetary nebula M57 (NGC 6720) in Lyra - The Ring nebula (M57) in Lyra - The planetary nebula of Lyra (M57) is located about 2000 years - light from Earth. With a magnitude of 9.0, this nebula is easily observed with a small telescope. A planetary nebula is a gas shell from a small late-life star whose heart collapsed to become a white dwarf and expelled the outer layers of its matter. The Ring Nebula, M57, is the most famous example of a planetary nebula. Located about 2,000 light years away, it has an apparent diameter of 1 arc minute and a real diameter of about one light year. At magnitude 9.0 its high surface brightness makes it an easy object, even from the city and even with small telescopes. Despite their name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets. They were named originally because their discoverers observed them visually and they did not appear as stellar point sources, but rather as small diffuse objects that resembled the outer planets in our solar system such

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4623312

Planetary nebula M57 (NGC 6720) in Lyra - The Ring nebula (M57) in Lyra - The planetary nebula of Lyra (M57) is located about 2000 years - light from Earth. With a magnitude of 9.0, this nebula is easily observed with a small telescope. A planetary nebula is a gas shell from a small late-life star whose heart collapsed to become a white dwarf and expelled the outer layers of its matter. The Ring Nebula, M57, is the most famous example of a planetary nebula. Located about 2,000 light years away, it has an apparent diameter of 1 arc minute and a real diameter of about one light year. At magnitude 9.0 its high surface brightness makes it an easy object, even from the city and even with small telescopes. Despite their name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets. They were named originally because their discoverers observed them visually and they did not appear as stellar point sources, but rather as small diffuse objects that resembled the outer planets in our solar system such

Planetary nebula M57 (NGC 6720) in Lyra - The Ring nebula (M57) in Lyra - The planetary nebula of Lyra (M57) is located about 2000 years - light from Earth. With a magnitude of 9.0, this nebula is easily observed with a small telescope. A planetary nebula is a gas shell from a small late-life star whose heart collapsed to become a white dwarf and expelled the outer layers of its matter. The Ring Nebula, M57, is the most famous example of a planetary nebula. Located about 2,000 light years away, it has an apparent diameter of 1 arc minute and a real diameter of about one light year. At magnitude 9.0 its high surface brightness makes it an easy object, even from the city and even with small telescopes. Despite their name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets. They were named originally because their discoverers observed them visually and they did not appear as stellar point sources, but rather as small diffuse objects that resembled the outer planets in our solar system such

Sebastian Voltmer

PIX4623321

Far Galaxies - Chandra Deep Field South - Distant Galaxies - GOODS Chandra Deep Field South - A myriad of distant galaxies, accompanied by a few stars of our Lactee Way, covers almost the entire picture. Some detected galaxies are a billion times weaker than the human eye can perceive without instrument. Many new galaxies are so distant that they appear to us as they were when the Universe was only two billion years old. The image was made by the Very Large Telescope and the 2.2m telescope of La Silla within the framework of the GOODS programme, an extensive programme of study of primordial galaxies conducted by different terrestrial and spatial observatories, in a field of the boreal constellation of the Great Bear and in a field of the southern hemisphere, as here in the constellation of the Furnace. November 2008. Obtained in part with the Very Large Telescope, the image contains more than 27 million pixels and is the result of 55 hours of observations with the VIMOS instrument. Thi

Far Galaxies - Chandra Deep Field South - Distant Galaxies - GOODS Chandra Deep Field South - A myriad of distant galaxies, accompanied by a few stars of our Lactee Way, covers almost the entire picture. Some detected galaxies are a billion times weaker than the human eye can perceive without instrument. Many new galaxies are so distant that they appear to us as they were when the Universe was only two billion years old. The image was made by the Very Large Telescope and the 2.2m telescope of La Silla within the framework of the GOODS programme, an extensive programme of study of primordial galaxies conducted by different terrestrial and spatial observatories, in a field of the boreal constellation of the Great Bear and in a field of the southern hemisphere, as here in the constellation of the Furnace. November 2008. Obtained in part with the Very Large Telescope, the image contains more than 27 million pixels and is the result of 55 hours of observations with the VIMOS instrument. Thi

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Star T - Tauri in Orion - Bow Shock around T - Tauri Star in the Orion Nebula - LL Ori is a star T - Tauri located about 1500 years ago - light from Earth in Orion's nebula. This young star emits a powerful stellar wind that hits the surrounding gas creating an arc-shaped shock wave Image obtained by the Hubble space telescope in February 1995. A bow shock can be created in space when two streams of gas collide. The star LL Ori emits a vigorous solar wind, a stream of charged particles moving rapidly outward from the star. Our own Sun has a less energetic version of this wind that is responsible for auroral displays on the Earth. The material in the fast wind from LL Ori collides with slow - moving gas evaporating away from the center of the Orion Nebula, which is located to the lower right in this Heritage image. The surface where the two winds collide is the crescent - shaped bow shock seen in the image. Unlike a water wave made by a ship, this interstellar bow shock is a three - dim

Star T - Tauri in Orion - Bow Shock around T - Tauri Star in the Orion Nebula - LL Ori is a star T - Tauri located about 1500 years ago - light from Earth in Orion's nebula. This young star emits a powerful stellar wind that hits the surrounding gas creating an arc-shaped shock wave Image obtained by the Hubble space telescope in February 1995. A bow shock can be created in space when two streams of gas collide. The star LL Ori emits a vigorous solar wind, a stream of charged particles moving rapidly outward from the star. Our own Sun has a less energetic version of this wind that is responsible for auroral displays on the Earth. The material in the fast wind from LL Ori collides with slow - moving gas evaporating away from the center of the Orion Nebula, which is located to the lower right in this Heritage image. The surface where the two winds collide is the crescent - shaped bow shock seen in the image. Unlike a water wave made by a ship, this interstellar bow shock is a three - dim

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Globular cluster NGC 7006 - Globular cluster NGC 7006 - The globular cluster NGC 7006 is located in the constellation Dauphin about 135,000 years old - light from Earth. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a compact and remote globular star cluster that lies in one of the smallest constellations in the night sky, Delphinus (The Dolphin). Due to its modest size, great distance and relatively low brightness, NGC 7006 is often ignored by amateur astronomers. But even remote globular clusters such as this one appear bright and clear when imaged by Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys. NGC 7006 resides in the outskirts of the Milky Way. It is about 135,000 light - years away, five times the distance between the Sun and the centre of the galaxy, and it is part of the galactic halo. This roughly spherical region of the Milky Way is made up of dark matter, gas and sparsely distributed stellar clusters. Like other remote globular

Globular cluster NGC 7006 - Globular cluster NGC 7006 - The globular cluster NGC 7006 is located in the constellation Dauphin about 135,000 years old - light from Earth. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a compact and remote globular star cluster that lies in one of the smallest constellations in the night sky, Delphinus (The Dolphin). Due to its modest size, great distance and relatively low brightness, NGC 7006 is often ignored by amateur astronomers. But even remote globular clusters such as this one appear bright and clear when imaged by Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys. NGC 7006 resides in the outskirts of the Milky Way. It is about 135,000 light - years away, five times the distance between the Sun and the centre of the galaxy, and it is part of the galactic halo. This roughly spherical region of the Milky Way is made up of dark matter, gas and sparsely distributed stellar clusters. Like other remote globular

PIX4565129

Kepler - 186f, the first Earth - size Planet in the Habitable Zone - Kepler - 186f is the first Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of its star to be discovered. It orbits Kepler - 186, a red dwarf located in the constellation of Swan, between 490 and 500 years of light from the Earth. The artist's concept depicts Kepler - 186f, the first validated Earth - size planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone - - a range of distance from a star where liquid water might pool on the planet's surface. The discovery of Kepler - 186f confirms that Earth - size planets exist in the habitable zones of other stars and signals a significant step closer to finding a world similar to Earth. The size of Kepler - 186f is known to be less than ten percent larger than Earth, but its mass, composition and density are not known. Previous research suggests that a planet the size of Kepler - 186f is likely to be rocky. Prior to this discovery, the “” record holder”” for the most “” Earth - like”

Kepler - 186f, the first Earth - size Planet in the Habitable Zone - Kepler - 186f is the first Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of its star to be discovered. It orbits Kepler - 186, a red dwarf located in the constellation of Swan, between 490 and 500 years of light from the Earth. The artist's concept depicts Kepler - 186f, the first validated Earth - size planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone - - a range of distance from a star where liquid water might pool on the planet's surface. The discovery of Kepler - 186f confirms that Earth - size planets exist in the habitable zones of other stars and signals a significant step closer to finding a world similar to Earth. The size of Kepler - 186f is known to be less than ten percent larger than Earth, but its mass, composition and density are not known. Previous research suggests that a planet the size of Kepler - 186f is likely to be rocky. Prior to this discovery, the “” record holder”” for the most “” Earth - like”

PIX4574126

Colliding spiral galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163 - Colliding galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163 - The galaxies NGC 2207 (left) and IC 2163 (right) form a pair of colliding galaxies approximately 114 million light years away. Currently IC 2163 is moving away from NGC 2207, but it is likely that within several billion years these two galaxies will eventually merge into a single massive galaxy. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1998. The larger and more massive galaxy is cataloged as NGC 2207 (on the left in the Hubble Heritage image), and the smaller one on the right is IC 2163. Strong tidal forces from NGC 2207 have distorted the shape of IC 2163, flinging out stars and gas into long streamers stretching out a hundred thousand light - years towards the right - hand edge of the image. The calculations indicate that IC 2163 is swinging past NGC 2207 in a counterclockwise direction, having made its closest approach 40 million years ago. However, IC 2163 does not have sufficient ener

Colliding spiral galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163 - Colliding galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163 - The galaxies NGC 2207 (left) and IC 2163 (right) form a pair of colliding galaxies approximately 114 million light years away. Currently IC 2163 is moving away from NGC 2207, but it is likely that within several billion years these two galaxies will eventually merge into a single massive galaxy. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1998. The larger and more massive galaxy is cataloged as NGC 2207 (on the left in the Hubble Heritage image), and the smaller one on the right is IC 2163. Strong tidal forces from NGC 2207 have distorted the shape of IC 2163, flinging out stars and gas into long streamers stretching out a hundred thousand light - years towards the right - hand edge of the image. The calculations indicate that IC 2163 is swinging past NGC 2207 in a counterclockwise direction, having made its closest approach 40 million years ago. However, IC 2163 does not have sufficient ener

PIX4610001

Spiral Galaxy M31 in Andromede - Detail - The southern arm of the Andromeda galaxy, M31 - View of the southern arm of the Andromede galaxy. Visible to the naked eye, the Andromede galaxy is located about 2 million years away from Earth. In this image obtained in La Palma, one of its two satellite galaxies is visible to the north-east: M32 (NGC 221). Also visible is the star cloud NGC 206, low centre, one of the largest star formations regions of our local group. Like the lactee path, the Andromede galaxy belongs to the local group, which consists of about thirty galaxies. M31 is the finest and nearest large spiral galaxy in the sky, about 2 million light years away. Despite its distance it can be seen as an elongated streak with the unaided eye in northern skies and in a large telescope under good conditions it is clearly resolved into stars and star - forming regions. This picture shows less than half the galaxy but the spiral structure, star clouds and dust lanes are evident. Also he

Spiral Galaxy M31 in Andromede - Detail - The southern arm of the Andromeda galaxy, M31 - View of the southern arm of the Andromede galaxy. Visible to the naked eye, the Andromede galaxy is located about 2 million years away from Earth. In this image obtained in La Palma, one of its two satellite galaxies is visible to the north-east: M32 (NGC 221). Also visible is the star cloud NGC 206, low centre, one of the largest star formations regions of our local group. Like the lactee path, the Andromede galaxy belongs to the local group, which consists of about thirty galaxies. M31 is the finest and nearest large spiral galaxy in the sky, about 2 million light years away. Despite its distance it can be seen as an elongated streak with the unaided eye in northern skies and in a large telescope under good conditions it is clearly resolved into stars and star - forming regions. This picture shows less than half the galaxy but the spiral structure, star clouds and dust lanes are evident. Also he

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

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

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4588973

Elliptical galaxy NGC 1275 in Persee - Elliptical galaxy NGC 1275 in Perseus - This image obtained by the Hubble space telescope in 1995 shows a system of two colliding galaxies; in the foreground, a spiral galaxy seen almost from the edge, with many stars forming in the background, a giant, very bright elliptical galaxy, special because it has a spiral structure in its center. Its core probably houses a black hole. NGC 1275 is located about 230 million years ago - light; it belongs to the large cluster of galaxies of Persee. These images, taken with Hubble's Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), show traces of spiral structure accompanied by dramatic dust lanes and bright blue regions that mark areas of active star formation. Detailed observations of NGC 1275 indicate that the dusty material belongs to a spiral system seen nearly edge - on in the foreground. The second galaxy, lying beyond the first, is actually a giant elliptical with peculiar faint spiral structure in its nucleus.

Elliptical galaxy NGC 1275 in Persee - Elliptical galaxy NGC 1275 in Perseus - This image obtained by the Hubble space telescope in 1995 shows a system of two colliding galaxies; in the foreground, a spiral galaxy seen almost from the edge, with many stars forming in the background, a giant, very bright elliptical galaxy, special because it has a spiral structure in its center. Its core probably houses a black hole. NGC 1275 is located about 230 million years ago - light; it belongs to the large cluster of galaxies of Persee. These images, taken with Hubble's Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), show traces of spiral structure accompanied by dramatic dust lanes and bright blue regions that mark areas of active star formation. Detailed observations of NGC 1275 indicate that the dusty material belongs to a spiral system seen nearly edge - on in the foreground. The second galaxy, lying beyond the first, is actually a giant elliptical with peculiar faint spiral structure in its nucleus.

PIX4609694

Exoplanete Kepler-186f - Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size Planet in the Habitable Zone: Kepler-186f is the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of its star to be discovered. It orbits Kepler-186, a red dwarf located in the constellation of Swan, between 490 and 500 light years of the Earth. Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size Planet in the Habitable Zone. The artist's concept depicts Kepler-186f, the first validated Earth-size planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone - a range of distance from a star where liquid water might pool on the planet's surface. The discovery of Kepler-186f confirms that Earth-size planets exist in the habitable zones of other stars and signals a significant step closer to finding a world similar to Earth. The size of Kepler-186f is known to be less than ten percent larger than Earth, but its mass, composition and density are not known. Previous research suggests that a planet the size of Kepler-186f is likely to be rocky. Prior to this dis

Exoplanete Kepler-186f - Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size Planet in the Habitable Zone: Kepler-186f is the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of its star to be discovered. It orbits Kepler-186, a red dwarf located in the constellation of Swan, between 490 and 500 light years of the Earth. Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size Planet in the Habitable Zone. The artist's concept depicts Kepler-186f, the first validated Earth-size planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone - a range of distance from a star where liquid water might pool on the planet's surface. The discovery of Kepler-186f confirms that Earth-size planets exist in the habitable zones of other stars and signals a significant step closer to finding a world similar to Earth. The size of Kepler-186f is known to be less than ten percent larger than Earth, but its mass, composition and density are not known. Previous research suggests that a planet the size of Kepler-186f is likely to be rocky. Prior to this dis

Miller, Ron (b.1947)

PIX4608105

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

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

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Red Dwarf Star Proxima of Centauri - Proxima Centauri in X - Ray - Proxima of Centaur (in the center of the image) is the closest star to the Sun, at a distance of 4.2 years - light. It belongs to the triple Alpha star system of the Centaurus being the least bright star of this system; it is a red dwarf star. X-ray image obtained by the Chandra space telescope. Chandra and XMM - Newton observations of the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri have shown that its surface is in a state of turmoil. Flares, or explosive outbursts, occur almost continually. This behavior can be traced to Proxima Centauri's low mass, about a tenth that of the Sun. In the cores of low mass stars, nuclear fusion reactions that convert hydrogen to helium proceed very slowly, and create a turbulent, convective motion throughout their interiors. This motion stores up magnetic energy which is often released explosively in the star's upper atmosphere where it produces flares in X - rays and other forms of light. The same

Red Dwarf Star Proxima of Centauri - Proxima Centauri in X - Ray - Proxima of Centaur (in the center of the image) is the closest star to the Sun, at a distance of 4.2 years - light. It belongs to the triple Alpha star system of the Centaurus being the least bright star of this system; it is a red dwarf star. X-ray image obtained by the Chandra space telescope. Chandra and XMM - Newton observations of the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri have shown that its surface is in a state of turmoil. Flares, or explosive outbursts, occur almost continually. This behavior can be traced to Proxima Centauri's low mass, about a tenth that of the Sun. In the cores of low mass stars, nuclear fusion reactions that convert hydrogen to helium proceed very slowly, and create a turbulent, convective motion throughout their interiors. This motion stores up magnetic energy which is often released explosively in the star's upper atmosphere where it produces flares in X - rays and other forms of light. The same

PIX4571790

Proto - planetary nebula OH231.8+4.2 dans la Poupe/HST

Proto - planetary nebula OH231.8+4.2 dans la Poupe/HST

PIX4623703

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1559 and supernova - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1559 with a supernova - The galaxy NGC 1559 is a galaxy of Seyfert located about 50 million years ago - light in the constellation Reticule. In this image obtained in 2005 by the Kueyen European telescope of the VLT in Chile, a bright star is visible just above the galaxy, a supernova of type Ia named SN 2005df. On the night of August 4, 2005, an amateur astronomer and supernovae discoverer Reverend Robert Evans discovered a supernova just North of this galaxy. This supernova is classified as a somewhat unusual type Ia supernova, caught probably 10 days before it reached its maximum brightness. Such a supernova is thought to be the result of the explosion of a small and dense star - a white dwarf - inside a binary system. As its companion was continuously spilling matter onto the white dwarf, the white dwarf reached a critical mass, leading to a fatal instability. NGC 1559 is a SBc (s) - type spiral galaxy located a

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1559 and supernova - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1559 with a supernova - The galaxy NGC 1559 is a galaxy of Seyfert located about 50 million years ago - light in the constellation Reticule. In this image obtained in 2005 by the Kueyen European telescope of the VLT in Chile, a bright star is visible just above the galaxy, a supernova of type Ia named SN 2005df. On the night of August 4, 2005, an amateur astronomer and supernovae discoverer Reverend Robert Evans discovered a supernova just North of this galaxy. This supernova is classified as a somewhat unusual type Ia supernova, caught probably 10 days before it reached its maximum brightness. Such a supernova is thought to be the result of the explosion of a small and dense star - a white dwarf - inside a binary system. As its companion was continuously spilling matter onto the white dwarf, the white dwarf reached a critical mass, leading to a fatal instability. NGC 1559 is a SBc (s) - type spiral galaxy located a

PIX4609916

Markarian Galaxy 817 - Galaxy Markarian 817 - The spiral galaxy Markarian 817 is located 430 million light years ago in the constellation Dragon. This galaxy houses in its heart a supermassive black hole. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on August 2, 2009. Rings of brilliant blue stars encircle the bright, active core of this spiral galaxy, whose monster black hole is blasting material into space at over 14 million kilometers per hour. Viewed nearly face - on, the galaxy, called Markarian 817, shows intense star - forming regions and dark bands of interstellar dust along its spiral arms. Observations by the new Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) aboard the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captured the powerful outflow of material from this galaxy. The COS spectrum of Markarian 817 highlights the outflow's dynamic nature. A gas cloud containing hydrogen that was detected in Hubble data taken in 1997 does not appear in the COS observation because the cloud has apparently been d

Markarian Galaxy 817 - Galaxy Markarian 817 - The spiral galaxy Markarian 817 is located 430 million light years ago in the constellation Dragon. This galaxy houses in its heart a supermassive black hole. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on August 2, 2009. Rings of brilliant blue stars encircle the bright, active core of this spiral galaxy, whose monster black hole is blasting material into space at over 14 million kilometers per hour. Viewed nearly face - on, the galaxy, called Markarian 817, shows intense star - forming regions and dark bands of interstellar dust along its spiral arms. Observations by the new Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) aboard the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captured the powerful outflow of material from this galaxy. The COS spectrum of Markarian 817 highlights the outflow's dynamic nature. A gas cloud containing hydrogen that was detected in Hubble data taken in 1997 does not appear in the COS observation because the cloud has apparently been d

PIX4613665

Spiral Galaxy NGC 4452 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 4452 - NGC 4452 is located about 60 million light years away from Earth in the galaxy cluster of Our Lady. Seen from the Earth, this spiral galaxy is presented by the slice, leaving only the thickness of its disc visible. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has imaged a striking galaxy called NGC 4452, which appears to lie exactly edge - on as seen from Earth. The bright nucleus can be seen at the centre, along with the very thin disc that looks like a straight line from our unusual viewing position. To complete the picture, a hazy halo of stars on the periphery of the galaxy makes it seem to glow. NGC 4452 was first seen by William Herschel in 1784 with his 47 cm telescope in England. He described the object as a bright nebula, small and very much elongated. The new Hubble image shows just how elongated this unusual object really is. NGC 4452 is part of the Virgo Cluster, so - called because many

Spiral Galaxy NGC 4452 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 4452 - NGC 4452 is located about 60 million light years away from Earth in the galaxy cluster of Our Lady. Seen from the Earth, this spiral galaxy is presented by the slice, leaving only the thickness of its disc visible. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has imaged a striking galaxy called NGC 4452, which appears to lie exactly edge - on as seen from Earth. The bright nucleus can be seen at the centre, along with the very thin disc that looks like a straight line from our unusual viewing position. To complete the picture, a hazy halo of stars on the periphery of the galaxy makes it seem to glow. NGC 4452 was first seen by William Herschel in 1784 with his 47 cm telescope in England. He described the object as a bright nebula, small and very much elongated. The new Hubble image shows just how elongated this unusual object really is. NGC 4452 is part of the Virgo Cluster, so - called because many

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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

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

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

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4588980

Exoplanete Kepler-186f - Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size Planet in the Habitable Zone: Kepler-186f is the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of its star to be discovered. It orbits Kepler-186, a red dwarf located in the constellation of Swan, between 490 and 500 light years of the Earth. Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size Planet in the Habitable Zone. The artist's concept depicts Kepler-186f, the first validated Earth-size planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone - a range of distance from a star where liquid water might pool on the planet's surface. The discovery of Kepler-186f confirms that Earth-size planets exist in the habitable zones of other stars and signals a significant step closer to finding a world similar to Earth. The size of Kepler-186f is known to be less than ten percent larger than Earth, but its mass, composition and density are not known. Previous research suggests that a planet the size of Kepler-186f is likely to be rocky. Prior to this dis

Exoplanete Kepler-186f - Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size Planet in the Habitable Zone: Kepler-186f is the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of its star to be discovered. It orbits Kepler-186, a red dwarf located in the constellation of Swan, between 490 and 500 light years of the Earth. Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size Planet in the Habitable Zone. The artist's concept depicts Kepler-186f, the first validated Earth-size planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone - a range of distance from a star where liquid water might pool on the planet's surface. The discovery of Kepler-186f confirms that Earth-size planets exist in the habitable zones of other stars and signals a significant step closer to finding a world similar to Earth. The size of Kepler-186f is known to be less than ten percent larger than Earth, but its mass, composition and density are not known. Previous research suggests that a planet the size of Kepler-186f is likely to be rocky. Prior to this dis

Miller, Ron (b.1947)

PIX4608153

Engraving depicting a refractor with a focal length of 120 inches being used by Henry Lawson. Henry Lawson (1774-1855) an English astronomer. Dated 19th Century

Engraving depicting a refractor with a focal length of 120 inches being used by Henry Lawson. Henry Lawson (1774-1855) an English astronomer. Dated 19th Century

UIG5426148

Engraving depicting the Great Comet of 1528. Dated 16th Century ©UIG/Leemage

Engraving depicting the Great Comet of 1528. Dated 16th Century ©UIG/Leemage

UIG5426209

Engraving depicting a transit instrument, used for finding celestial bodies crossing the meridian, within an observatory. Dated 19th Century ©UIG/Leemage

Engraving depicting a transit instrument, used for finding celestial bodies crossing the meridian, within an observatory. Dated 19th Century ©UIG/Leemage

UIG5426384

Engraving depicting a transit instrument, used for finding celestial bodies crossing the meridian, within an observatory. Dated 19th Century ©UIG/Leemage

Engraving depicting a transit instrument, used for finding celestial bodies crossing the meridian, within an observatory. Dated 19th Century ©UIG/Leemage

UIG5426385

Starfish (Asteroidea) on its back (photo)

Starfish (Asteroidea) on its back (photo)

UDK4990181

Engraving depicting a meridian circle, used to determine altitude of celestial bodies, and a transit instrument, used for finding the celestial bodies crossing the meridian. Dated 19th Century ©UIG/Leemage

Engraving depicting a meridian circle, used to determine altitude of celestial bodies, and a transit instrument, used for finding the celestial bodies crossing the meridian. Dated 19th Century ©UIG/Leemage

UIG5426386

Permanent station between the Earth and the Moon - Artist view - Lunar cycler at apogee - Artist view - Lunar Cycler is a space station placed in orbit between the Earth and the Moon whose trajectory would alternate between the Moon and the Earth. Once positioned in orbit, this gravitational assistance vessel would use very little fuel. This project would make a permanent link between the two stars. A lunar cycler has reached its furthest orbital point from the Earth - the apogee - and is rounding the far side of the Moon to begin its fall back towards Earth. At apogee the lunar cycler is about 300 thousand miles from the Earth and 50 thousand miles beyond the orbit of the Moon (further from Earth than any human has ventured yet). If frequent manned trips to the Moon become a reality, the earlier “” throw-away”” technologies of the Apollo lunar missions will be impractical for the long term. More efficient and reusable systems will need to be developed in order to minimize the labor an

Permanent station between the Earth and the Moon - Artist view - Lunar cycler at apogee - Artist view - Lunar Cycler is a space station placed in orbit between the Earth and the Moon whose trajectory would alternate between the Moon and the Earth. Once positioned in orbit, this gravitational assistance vessel would use very little fuel. This project would make a permanent link between the two stars. A lunar cycler has reached its furthest orbital point from the Earth - the apogee - and is rounding the far side of the Moon to begin its fall back towards Earth. At apogee the lunar cycler is about 300 thousand miles from the Earth and 50 thousand miles beyond the orbit of the Moon (further from Earth than any human has ventured yet). If frequent manned trips to the Moon become a reality, the earlier “” throw-away”” technologies of the Apollo lunar missions will be impractical for the long term. More efficient and reusable systems will need to be developed in order to minimize the labor an

Walter B Myers

PIX4639391

Galaxies NGC 1316 and 1317 in the Furnace - Galaxies NGC 1316 and NGC 1317 in Fornax - The giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1316 (below) absorbed a spiral galaxy a few billion years ago. A few bands of dust visible in the centre are the traces of this feast. A spiral galaxy, NGC 1317, is visible just above it. These galaxies resident more than 60 million years ago - light in the array of galaxies of the Furnace. Also called Fornax A, NGC 1316 is one of the strongest radio sources in the sky. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1316 - 17 are on the outskirts of a nearby cluster of galaxies in the southern constellation of Fornax, at a distance of about 60 million light years. At first glance, the optical image of these galaxies does not seem to be very unusual. However, closer inspection shows that the larger galaxy, the elliptical NGC 1316, has distinct dust lanes in its inner regions, and NGC 1317 is a strangely distorted spiral. The dust lanes strongly suggest that NGC 131

Galaxies NGC 1316 and 1317 in the Furnace - Galaxies NGC 1316 and NGC 1317 in Fornax - The giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1316 (below) absorbed a spiral galaxy a few billion years ago. A few bands of dust visible in the centre are the traces of this feast. A spiral galaxy, NGC 1317, is visible just above it. These galaxies resident more than 60 million years ago - light in the array of galaxies of the Furnace. Also called Fornax A, NGC 1316 is one of the strongest radio sources in the sky. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1316 - 17 are on the outskirts of a nearby cluster of galaxies in the southern constellation of Fornax, at a distance of about 60 million light years. At first glance, the optical image of these galaxies does not seem to be very unusual. However, closer inspection shows that the larger galaxy, the elliptical NGC 1316, has distinct dust lanes in its inner regions, and NGC 1317 is a strangely distorted spiral. The dust lanes strongly suggest that NGC 131

PIX4609824

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 2146 in the Giraffe - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 2146 in Camelopardalis - NGC 2146 is a barree spiral galaxy located about 70 million years ago - light from Earth in the constellation Giraffe (Camelopardalis). Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). NGC 2146 is classified as a barred spiral due to its shape, but the most distinctive feature is the dusty spiral arm that has looped in front of the galaxy's core as seen from our perspective. The forces required to pull this structure out of its natural shape and twist it up to 45 degrees are colossal. The most likely explanation is that a neighbouring galaxy is gravitationally perturbing it and distorting the orbits of many of NGC 2146's stars. It is probable that we are currently witnessing the end stages of a process which has been occurring for tens of millions of years. NCG 2146 is undergoing intense bouts of star formation, to such an extent that it is referred to as a starburst galaxy. This is a co

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 2146 in the Giraffe - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 2146 in Camelopardalis - NGC 2146 is a barree spiral galaxy located about 70 million years ago - light from Earth in the constellation Giraffe (Camelopardalis). Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). NGC 2146 is classified as a barred spiral due to its shape, but the most distinctive feature is the dusty spiral arm that has looped in front of the galaxy's core as seen from our perspective. The forces required to pull this structure out of its natural shape and twist it up to 45 degrees are colossal. The most likely explanation is that a neighbouring galaxy is gravitationally perturbing it and distorting the orbits of many of NGC 2146's stars. It is probable that we are currently witnessing the end stages of a process which has been occurring for tens of millions of years. NCG 2146 is undergoing intense bouts of star formation, to such an extent that it is referred to as a starburst galaxy. This is a co

PIX4609999

Galaxy cluster Abell 1689 - Gravitational lenses in Abell 1689 galaxy cluster - Galaxy cluster Abell 1689 is about 2.2 billion years ago - light in the constellation of the Virgin. This image shows, by a gravitational mirage effect, the deformed image of many galaxies located behind the cluster. Near infrared and visible image obtained by the Hubble space telescope in June 2002. 13 hours of installation. This representative color image is a composite of visible - light and near - infrared exposures taken in June 2002. Hubble peered straight through the center of one of the most massive galaxy clusters known, called Abell 1689. This required that Hubble gaze at the remote cluster, located 2.2 billion light - years away, for over 13 hours. The gravity of the cluster's trillion stars - - plus dark matter - - acts as a 2 - million - light - year - wide “” lens”” in space. This “” gravitational lens””” bends and magnifies the light of galaxies located far behind it. Although much more analy

Galaxy cluster Abell 1689 - Gravitational lenses in Abell 1689 galaxy cluster - Galaxy cluster Abell 1689 is about 2.2 billion years ago - light in the constellation of the Virgin. This image shows, by a gravitational mirage effect, the deformed image of many galaxies located behind the cluster. Near infrared and visible image obtained by the Hubble space telescope in June 2002. 13 hours of installation. This representative color image is a composite of visible - light and near - infrared exposures taken in June 2002. Hubble peered straight through the center of one of the most massive galaxy clusters known, called Abell 1689. This required that Hubble gaze at the remote cluster, located 2.2 billion light - years away, for over 13 hours. The gravity of the cluster's trillion stars - - plus dark matter - - acts as a 2 - million - light - year - wide “” lens”” in space. This “” gravitational lens””” bends and magnifies the light of galaxies located far behind it. Although much more analy

PIX4565577

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

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

PIX4572084

Planetary nebula myCN18 dans la Mouche/HST - This is an image of MyCN18, a young planetary nebula located about 8,000 light - years away, taken with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) aboard Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This picture has been composed from three separate images taken in the light of ionized nitrogen (represented by red), hydrogen (green), and doubly - ionized oxygen (blue). The results are of great interest because they shed new light on the poorly understood ejection of stellar matter which accompanies the slow death of Sun - like stars. According to one theory for the formation of planetary nebulae, the hourglass shape is produced by the expansion of a fast stellar wind within a slowly expanding cloud which is more dense near its equator than near its poles. What appears as a bright elliptical ring in the center, and at first sight might be mistaken for an equatorially dense region, is seen on closer inspection to be a potato shaped structure with a

Planetary nebula myCN18 dans la Mouche/HST - This is an image of MyCN18, a young planetary nebula located about 8,000 light - years away, taken with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) aboard Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This picture has been composed from three separate images taken in the light of ionized nitrogen (represented by red), hydrogen (green), and doubly - ionized oxygen (blue). The results are of great interest because they shed new light on the poorly understood ejection of stellar matter which accompanies the slow death of Sun - like stars. According to one theory for the formation of planetary nebulae, the hourglass shape is produced by the expansion of a fast stellar wind within a slowly expanding cloud which is more dense near its equator than near its poles. What appears as a bright elliptical ring in the center, and at first sight might be mistaken for an equatorially dense region, is seen on closer inspection to be a potato shaped structure with a

PIX4623735

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