Starry Spectacle - Seen in visible light, the nebula known as M78 is partially obscured by dark tendrils of dense dust. But the infrared eye of NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope can penetrate this dust, revealing the glowing clouds of star-forming material inside. In a newly released picture, M78 is shown to contain two round, greenish “eyes”—cavities in the clouds that are being carved by radiation from newborn stars. (via NationalGeographic)
Le ciel : notions d’astronomie à l’usage des gens du monde et de la jeunesse / par Guillemin, Amédée, 1864
“Ceres” by Edgar Martins from the series “Dwarf Exoplanets & Other Sophisms”
“Dwarf Exoplanets & Other Sophisms are photographs that apparently represent planets, but after looking at them briefly we realise that we are faced with an illusory experience. We do not know what has effectively been photographed. Doubtless it was some type of surface (of a metal, or a stone) that the photographic representation, and the skilled use of lighting, was able to convert into something else, or which at least was able to refer us to the idea of something else. At this point it is possible to perceive the extent to which the photograph is accepted as a territory of fantastic experiences, in which reality is reconfigured – and rewritten – as a formal imagery that reinforces a particular way of seeing and thinking.”
The Outer Shells of Centaurus A
What causes the surrounding shells in peculiar galaxy Cen A? In 2002 a fascinating image of peculiar galaxy Centaurus A was released, processed to highlight a faint blue arc indicating an ongoing collision with a smaller galaxy. Another interesting feature of Cen A, however, is the surrounding system of shells, better visible here in this recently released wider pan from the four metre Blanco telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. Faint shells around galaxies are not unusual and considered by themselves as evidence of a previous galaxy merger, analogous to water ripples on a pond. An unexpected attribute of these shells is the abundance of gas, which should become separated from existing stars during the collision.
Image Credit: E. Peng and H. Ford (JHU), K. Freeman (ANU), R. White (STScI), CTIO, NOAO, NSF
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He raised an eyebrow and smiled. “That was easy enough. Don’t worry, You’ll like it b e t t e r here. Life’s more fun, the sun is brighter.” He edged closer and whispered; “And our men are far more attractive.” He winked at her.
“What exactly am I doing and when do I start?” Enola raised her eyebrows at him. This probably wasn’t the best decision, but she needed the money.
“I need some codes done, and an awful lot of money counted. There’s nothing exciting on at the moment.” He grinned, he loved recruiting a new member.
“I don’t need excitement at the moment, but I trust you can satiate that desire when it comes up…boss.” She grinned.
