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M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - The M87 galaxy (NGC 4486) is located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth, in the heart of the Virgin's cluster. M87 is the brightest radio source in the constellation, it is also called Virgo A. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Messier 87 (NGC 4486) is at the heart of the Virgo cluster and has a mass many times that of the Milky Way, itself no lightweight. Unlike our galaxy however, M87 is an elliptical galaxy. Though it appears more - or - less spherical on this photograph, a deep image shows it to be markedly elongated. Also unlike the Milky Way, M87 contains relatively little gas and dust. It is composed mainly of cool stars, which gives it a yellowish colour, in contrast to the blue of spiral galaxies. Despite the lack of star - forming materials, M87 is not a quiescent backwater. It is a powerful source of radio waves and the orbits of stars near its nucleus suggest they are held by a very m

M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - The M87 galaxy (NGC 4486) is located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth, in the heart of the Virgin's cluster. M87 is the brightest radio source in the constellation, it is also called Virgo A. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Messier 87 (NGC 4486) is at the heart of the Virgo cluster and has a mass many times that of the Milky Way, itself no lightweight. Unlike our galaxy however, M87 is an elliptical galaxy. Though it appears more - or - less spherical on this photograph, a deep image shows it to be markedly elongated. Also unlike the Milky Way, M87 contains relatively little gas and dust. It is composed mainly of cool stars, which gives it a yellowish colour, in contrast to the blue of spiral galaxies. Despite the lack of star - forming materials, M87 is not a quiescent backwater. It is a powerful source of radio waves and the orbits of stars near its nucleus suggest they are held by a very m

PIX4611429

Nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopee - Nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopeia - NGC 281 is a star-forming region about 10,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation Cassiopee. At the center of this nebula is the cluster of stars IC 1590 whose stars are only a few million years old. Image obtained by combining light through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur. NGC 281 is a busy workshop of star formation. Prominent features include a small open cluster of stars, a diffuse emission nebula, large lanes of obscuring gas and dust, and dense knots of dust and gas in which stars may still be forming. The open cluster of stars IC 1590 visible around the center has formed only in the last few million years. The brightest member of this cluster is actually a multiple - star system shining light that helps ionize the nebula's gas. The lanes of dust visible below the center are likely homes of future star formation. The entire NGC 281 system lies about 10 thousand light years di

Nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopee - Nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopeia - NGC 281 is a star-forming region about 10,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation Cassiopee. At the center of this nebula is the cluster of stars IC 1590 whose stars are only a few million years old. Image obtained by combining light through 3 different filters that highlight oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur. NGC 281 is a busy workshop of star formation. Prominent features include a small open cluster of stars, a diffuse emission nebula, large lanes of obscuring gas and dust, and dense knots of dust and gas in which stars may still be forming. The open cluster of stars IC 1590 visible around the center has formed only in the last few million years. The brightest member of this cluster is actually a multiple - star system shining light that helps ionize the nebula's gas. The lanes of dust visible below the center are likely homes of future star formation. The entire NGC 281 system lies about 10 thousand light years di

PIX4617475

Nebulae NGC 3603 and NGC 3576 in Carene - NGC 3576 and 3603 in Carina - NGC 3576 (right) is located about 7000 years - light from Earth; NGC 3603 (left) is twice as far away. These two nebulae are located in the constellation Carene. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. These two star - formation regions appear side by side in the sky and seem to be linked as parts of an extensive nebula. However, the apparent intimacy is line - of - sight effect because these two objects are at quite different distances from the Sun. The curious looped nebula NGC 3576 is about 7000 light years from us while its neighbour NGC 3603 is more than twice as far away. That NGC 3603 is the more distant is confirmed by its colour, which is a ruddier red than the pinkish hue of NGC 3576. The change in colour is due to absorption of the blue - light component of the nebulosity by dust particles in the much longer line of sight. This effect is known as interstellar reddening, though it would be bette

Nebulae NGC 3603 and NGC 3576 in Carene - NGC 3576 and 3603 in Carina - NGC 3576 (right) is located about 7000 years - light from Earth; NGC 3603 (left) is twice as far away. These two nebulae are located in the constellation Carene. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. These two star - formation regions appear side by side in the sky and seem to be linked as parts of an extensive nebula. However, the apparent intimacy is line - of - sight effect because these two objects are at quite different distances from the Sun. The curious looped nebula NGC 3576 is about 7000 light years from us while its neighbour NGC 3603 is more than twice as far away. That NGC 3603 is the more distant is confirmed by its colour, which is a ruddier red than the pinkish hue of NGC 3576. The change in colour is due to absorption of the blue - light component of the nebulosity by dust particles in the much longer line of sight. This effect is known as interstellar reddening, though it would be bette

PIX4619201

Orion Nebula M42 in Orion - The Orion Nebula - Located 1500 years - light, Orion Nebula (M42) is the closest region of formation of stars of the Sun. Above these are the NGC nebulae 1973-75-77. The Orion Nebula complex is easily visible to the unaided eye from a dark location as a patch of brightness surrounding Theta Orionis, the middle star in the sword of Orion the Hunter, the constellation which dominates the winter night sky.Located about 1500 light years away, the nebula glows red predominantly from the light of hydrogen gas excited by energetic newly formed stars in the heart of the nebula. It is the nearest star forming region to our own star, the Sun. NGC 1975, just above M42, is a complex of blue reflection nebulae mixed with dark lanes and a touch of red emission nebulae. The blue color comes from reflected starlight scattered by dust. North is up in this image. Composite of a 50 minute exposure and a 5 minute exposure on gas - hypersensitized Kodak Ektapress Multispeed PJM

Orion Nebula M42 in Orion - The Orion Nebula - Located 1500 years - light, Orion Nebula (M42) is the closest region of formation of stars of the Sun. Above these are the NGC nebulae 1973-75-77. The Orion Nebula complex is easily visible to the unaided eye from a dark location as a patch of brightness surrounding Theta Orionis, the middle star in the sword of Orion the Hunter, the constellation which dominates the winter night sky.Located about 1500 light years away, the nebula glows red predominantly from the light of hydrogen gas excited by energetic newly formed stars in the heart of the nebula. It is the nearest star forming region to our own star, the Sun. NGC 1975, just above M42, is a complex of blue reflection nebulae mixed with dark lanes and a touch of red emission nebulae. The blue color comes from reflected starlight scattered by dust. North is up in this image. Composite of a 50 minute exposure and a 5 minute exposure on gas - hypersensitized Kodak Ektapress Multispeed PJM

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4617625

Galaxy NGC 1232 in Eridan - Spiral galaxy NGC 1232 in Eridanus - Image of the large spiral galaxy NGC 1232 obtained by the VLT in September 1998. In the arms, many star-forming regions are visible, while in the center of the galaxy, older resident stars. Note the presence on the left of a dwarf galaxy. NGC 1232 is located about 100 million years ago - light. The field of this photo is about 200,000 years old - light, double our galaxy, the Lactee Way. NGC 1232 is located 20 degrees south of the celestial equator, in the constellation Eridanus (The River). The distance is about 100 million light - years. The edge of the field shown here corresponds to about 200,000 lightyears, or about twice the size of the Milky Way galaxy. This image of the large spiral galaxy NGC 1232 was obtained on September 21, 1998, by the FORS instrument at VLT. The colours of the different regions are well visible: the central areas contain older stars of reddish colour, while the spiral arms are populated by y

Galaxy NGC 1232 in Eridan - Spiral galaxy NGC 1232 in Eridanus - Image of the large spiral galaxy NGC 1232 obtained by the VLT in September 1998. In the arms, many star-forming regions are visible, while in the center of the galaxy, older resident stars. Note the presence on the left of a dwarf galaxy. NGC 1232 is located about 100 million years ago - light. The field of this photo is about 200,000 years old - light, double our galaxy, the Lactee Way. NGC 1232 is located 20 degrees south of the celestial equator, in the constellation Eridanus (The River). The distance is about 100 million light - years. The edge of the field shown here corresponds to about 200,000 lightyears, or about twice the size of the Milky Way galaxy. This image of the large spiral galaxy NGC 1232 was obtained on September 21, 1998, by the FORS instrument at VLT. The colours of the different regions are well visible: the central areas contain older stars of reddish colour, while the spiral arms are populated by y

PIX4609687

Galaxies NGC 3718 and NGC 3729 in Ursa Major

Galaxies NGC 3718 and NGC 3729 in Ursa Major

Adam Block

PIX4610936

M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - The M87 galaxy (NGC 4486) is located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth, in the heart of the Virgin's cluster. M87 is the brightest radio source in the constellation, it is also called Virgo A. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Messier 87 (NGC 4486) lies near the centre of the nearby cluster of galaxies in Virgo at a distance of about 60 million light years. Although the physical boundaries of elliptical galaxies are not well defined, their mass can be, and by any standards M87 is enormous. It contains several thousand billion stars. Associated with this giant galaxy are large numbers of globular clusters, visible in this photograph as the cloud of slightly fuzzy objects around it. Like all ellipticals, M 87 is composed mainly of old stars and is largely devoid of the materials needed to make new ones. The galaxy is not inert however; high energy X - rays have been detected from an extensive oute

M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - The M87 galaxy (NGC 4486) is located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth, in the heart of the Virgin's cluster. M87 is the brightest radio source in the constellation, it is also called Virgo A. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Messier 87 (NGC 4486) lies near the centre of the nearby cluster of galaxies in Virgo at a distance of about 60 million light years. Although the physical boundaries of elliptical galaxies are not well defined, their mass can be, and by any standards M87 is enormous. It contains several thousand billion stars. Associated with this giant galaxy are large numbers of globular clusters, visible in this photograph as the cloud of slightly fuzzy objects around it. Like all ellipticals, M 87 is composed mainly of old stars and is largely devoid of the materials needed to make new ones. The galaxy is not inert however; high energy X - rays have been detected from an extensive oute

PIX4611461

Spiral Galaxy NGC 4911 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 4911 - The NGC 4911 galaxy photographed here by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is located in the Coma galaxy cluster (Abell 1656) about 320 million light years ago. Image obtained from different cliches obtained from 2006 to 2009, 28 hours of installation in total. A long - exposure Hubble Space Telescope image shows a majestic face - on spiral galaxy located deep within the Coma Cluster of galaxies, which lies 320 million light - years away in the northern constellation Coma Berenices. The galaxy, known as NGC 4911, contains rich lanes of dust and gas near its center. These are silhouetted against glowing newborn star clusters and iridescent pink clouds of hydrogen, the existence of which indicates ongoing star formation. Hubble has also captured the outer spiral arms of NGC 4911, along with thousands of other galaxies of varying sizes. This natural - color Hubble image, which combines data obtained in 2006, 2007, and 2009 from the Wide Fie

Spiral Galaxy NGC 4911 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 4911 - The NGC 4911 galaxy photographed here by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is located in the Coma galaxy cluster (Abell 1656) about 320 million light years ago. Image obtained from different cliches obtained from 2006 to 2009, 28 hours of installation in total. A long - exposure Hubble Space Telescope image shows a majestic face - on spiral galaxy located deep within the Coma Cluster of galaxies, which lies 320 million light - years away in the northern constellation Coma Berenices. The galaxy, known as NGC 4911, contains rich lanes of dust and gas near its center. These are silhouetted against glowing newborn star clusters and iridescent pink clouds of hydrogen, the existence of which indicates ongoing star formation. Hubble has also captured the outer spiral arms of NGC 4911, along with thousands of other galaxies of varying sizes. This natural - color Hubble image, which combines data obtained in 2006, 2007, and 2009 from the Wide Fie

PIX4612005

Globular cluster M72 in Aquarius - Globular cluster M72 in Aquarius - M72 (NGC 6981) is a cluster of stars located about 50,000 years from Earth. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. This rich collection of scattered stars, known as Messier 72, is actually a globular cluster, an ancient spherical collection of old stars packed much closer together at its centre. As well as huge numbers of stars in the cluster itself the picture also captures the images of many much more distant galaxies seen between and around the cluster stars. English astronomer Pierre Megchain discovered this rich cluster in August of 1780, but we take Messier 72's most common name from Mechain's colleague Charles Messier, who recorded it as the 72nd entry in his famous catalog of comet - like objects just two months later. This globular cluster lies in the constellation of Aquarius (the Water Bearer) about 50 000 light - years from Earth. This image was taken with the Wide Field Channel of the Advanced Cam

Globular cluster M72 in Aquarius - Globular cluster M72 in Aquarius - M72 (NGC 6981) is a cluster of stars located about 50,000 years from Earth. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. This rich collection of scattered stars, known as Messier 72, is actually a globular cluster, an ancient spherical collection of old stars packed much closer together at its centre. As well as huge numbers of stars in the cluster itself the picture also captures the images of many much more distant galaxies seen between and around the cluster stars. English astronomer Pierre Megchain discovered this rich cluster in August of 1780, but we take Messier 72's most common name from Mechain's colleague Charles Messier, who recorded it as the 72nd entry in his famous catalog of comet - like objects just two months later. This globular cluster lies in the constellation of Aquarius (the Water Bearer) about 50 000 light - years from Earth. This image was taken with the Wide Field Channel of the Advanced Cam

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Exoplanete GJ 1214 b - Exoplanet GJ 1214 b - Illustration showing the transit of the extrasolar planet GJ 1214 b in front of its star, the red dwarf GJ 1214, in the constellation Ophiuchus. GJ 1214 b is a super Earth, six times the mass of the Earth, which has an atmosphere but is too inhospitable to shelter life as we know it. This artist's impression shows how the super - Earth surrounding the nearby star GJ1214 may look. Discovered by the Mearth project and investigated further by the HARPS spectrograph on ESO's 3.6 - metre telescope at La Silla, GJ1214b is the second super - Earth exoplanet for which astronomers have determined the mass and radius, giving vital clues about its structure. It is also the first super - Earth around which an atmosphere has been found. The exoplanet, orbiting a small star only 40 light - years away from us, thus opens dramatic new perspectives in the quest for habitable worlds. The planet, GJ1214b, has a mass about six times that of Earth and its interi

Exoplanete GJ 1214 b - Exoplanet GJ 1214 b - Illustration showing the transit of the extrasolar planet GJ 1214 b in front of its star, the red dwarf GJ 1214, in the constellation Ophiuchus. GJ 1214 b is a super Earth, six times the mass of the Earth, which has an atmosphere but is too inhospitable to shelter life as we know it. This artist's impression shows how the super - Earth surrounding the nearby star GJ1214 may look. Discovered by the Mearth project and investigated further by the HARPS spectrograph on ESO's 3.6 - metre telescope at La Silla, GJ1214b is the second super - Earth exoplanet for which astronomers have determined the mass and radius, giving vital clues about its structure. It is also the first super - Earth around which an atmosphere has been found. The exoplanet, orbiting a small star only 40 light - years away from us, thus opens dramatic new perspectives in the quest for habitable worlds. The planet, GJ1214b, has a mass about six times that of Earth and its interi

PIX4573892

Birth of stars in the nebula NGC 3372 - Star formation in the Carina Nebula - Detail of the nebula of the Carene seen in light by the space telescope Hubble. The image shows a column of gases and dust eroded by ultraviolet radiation emitted by young stars. Jets are also visible, showing the presence of a nascent star. NGC 3372 is located about 7000 light years away from Earth. Image obtained in July 2009. Composed of gas and dust, the pictured pillar resides in a tempestuous stellar nursery called the Carina Nebula, located 7500 light - years away in the southern constellation of Carina. Taken in visible light, the image shows the tip of the three - light - year - long pillar, bathed in the glow of light from hot, massive stars off the top of the image. Scorching radiation and fast winds (streams of charged particles) from these stars are sculpting the pillar and causing new stars to form within it. Streamers of gas and dust can be seen flowing off the top of the structure. Hubble's Wi

Birth of stars in the nebula NGC 3372 - Star formation in the Carina Nebula - Detail of the nebula of the Carene seen in light by the space telescope Hubble. The image shows a column of gases and dust eroded by ultraviolet radiation emitted by young stars. Jets are also visible, showing the presence of a nascent star. NGC 3372 is located about 7000 light years away from Earth. Image obtained in July 2009. Composed of gas and dust, the pictured pillar resides in a tempestuous stellar nursery called the Carina Nebula, located 7500 light - years away in the southern constellation of Carina. Taken in visible light, the image shows the tip of the three - light - year - long pillar, bathed in the glow of light from hot, massive stars off the top of the image. Scorching radiation and fast winds (streams of charged particles) from these stars are sculpting the pillar and causing new stars to form within it. Streamers of gas and dust can be seen flowing off the top of the structure. Hubble's Wi

PIX4619089

NGC 2264, S Monocerotis, Hubble Nebula and Trumpler 5 clusters - NGC 2261, 2264, the Cone nebula and Trumpler 5 - The Cone nebula on the left is a region H II located about 2600 years - light from Earth. The bright star on the top left is S Monocerotis, a star of magnitude 4.7. On the right, an open cluster of stars, Trumpler 5. Downstairs in the center, the Hubble nebula. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt telescope of Siding Spring. The western end of the large constellation of Monoceros crossed by the Galactic plane and so is rich in the ingredients of star formation. Only five degrees south (not shown) is the beautiful Rosette nebula, also close to the Galactic plane. To the east (left) is the outline of the dark Cone nebula with its distinctive bright tip, apparently pointing to the star S Mon at the top (north) of the photograph. All around is faint nebulosity, hinting at star formation in the region. Around the dusty red nebula there are areas where the light from background s

NGC 2264, S Monocerotis, Hubble Nebula and Trumpler 5 clusters - NGC 2261, 2264, the Cone nebula and Trumpler 5 - The Cone nebula on the left is a region H II located about 2600 years - light from Earth. The bright star on the top left is S Monocerotis, a star of magnitude 4.7. On the right, an open cluster of stars, Trumpler 5. Downstairs in the center, the Hubble nebula. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt telescope of Siding Spring. The western end of the large constellation of Monoceros crossed by the Galactic plane and so is rich in the ingredients of star formation. Only five degrees south (not shown) is the beautiful Rosette nebula, also close to the Galactic plane. To the east (left) is the outline of the dark Cone nebula with its distinctive bright tip, apparently pointing to the star S Mon at the top (north) of the photograph. All around is faint nebulosity, hinting at star formation in the region. Around the dusty red nebula there are areas where the light from background s

PIX4618768

Detail nebuleuse de la Tete de Cheval by HST - The Horsehead, also known as Barnard 33, is a cold, dark cloud of gas and dust, silhouetted against the bright nebula, IC 434. The bright area at the top left edge is a young star still embedded in its nursery of gas and dust. Radiation from this hot star is eroding its gaseous birthplace. A massive star located outside Hubble's view is, in a similar fashion, sculpting the top of the Horsehead itself. The Horsehead, located in the constellation Orion, is a cousin of the famous pillars of dust and gas known as the Eagle nebula. Both tower - like nebulae are cocoons of young stars. The Horsehead nebula lies just south of the bright star Zeta Orionis, which is easily visible to the unaided eye as the left - hand star in the line of three that form Orion's Belt. Amateur astronomers often use the Horsehead as a test of their observing skills - it is known as one of the more difficult objects to observe visually with an amateur - sized telescope

Detail nebuleuse de la Tete de Cheval by HST - The Horsehead, also known as Barnard 33, is a cold, dark cloud of gas and dust, silhouetted against the bright nebula, IC 434. The bright area at the top left edge is a young star still embedded in its nursery of gas and dust. Radiation from this hot star is eroding its gaseous birthplace. A massive star located outside Hubble's view is, in a similar fashion, sculpting the top of the Horsehead itself. The Horsehead, located in the constellation Orion, is a cousin of the famous pillars of dust and gas known as the Eagle nebula. Both tower - like nebulae are cocoons of young stars. The Horsehead nebula lies just south of the bright star Zeta Orionis, which is easily visible to the unaided eye as the left - hand star in the line of three that form Orion's Belt. Amateur astronomers often use the Horsehead as a test of their observing skills - it is known as one of the more difficult objects to observe visually with an amateur - sized telescope

PIX4621980

Star V838 Monocerotis. 09/2006 - V838 Monocerotis seen by the Hubble space telescope. 09/2006 - This variable star is located about 20,000 years ago - light from Earth in the constellation of Unicorn. Beginning in 2002, this star illuminated temporarily becoming one of the brightest stars in the sky. Viewed here in September 2006 by the Hubble space telescope, the light echo reveals details in the interstellar dust surrounding the star. Light from a star that erupted almost five years ago continues propagating outward through a cloud of dust surrounding the star. The light reflects or “” echoes”” off the dust and then travels to Earth. Because of the extra distance the scattered light travels, it reaches the Earth long after the light from the stellar outburst itself. Therefore, a light echo is an analog of a sound echo produced, for example, when sound from an Alpine yodeler echoes off of the surrounding mountainsides. The echo comes from the unusual variable star V838 Monocerotis (V8

Star V838 Monocerotis. 09/2006 - V838 Monocerotis seen by the Hubble space telescope. 09/2006 - This variable star is located about 20,000 years ago - light from Earth in the constellation of Unicorn. Beginning in 2002, this star illuminated temporarily becoming one of the brightest stars in the sky. Viewed here in September 2006 by the Hubble space telescope, the light echo reveals details in the interstellar dust surrounding the star. Light from a star that erupted almost five years ago continues propagating outward through a cloud of dust surrounding the star. The light reflects or “” echoes”” off the dust and then travels to Earth. Because of the extra distance the scattered light travels, it reaches the Earth long after the light from the stellar outburst itself. Therefore, a light echo is an analog of a sound echo produced, for example, when sound from an Alpine yodeler echoes off of the surrounding mountainsides. The echo comes from the unusual variable star V838 Monocerotis (V8

PIX4572319

Galaxy NGC 1427A in the Furnace - The irregular galaxy NGC 1427A in Fornax - The galaxy NGC 1427A is located in the Furnace cluster about 62 million years ago - light from Earth. It is an irregular galaxy populated with young clusters of blue stars and many star-forming regions. Further away, other galaxies are visible in the background. The irregular galaxy NGC 1427A is a small bluish galaxy plunging headlong into the Fornax galaxy group at 600 kilometers per second or nearly 400 miles per second. NGC 1427A, which is located some 62 million light - years away from Earth in the direction of the constellation Fornax, shows numerous hot, blue stars in this image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. These blue stars have been formed very recently, showing that star formation is occurring extensively throughout the galaxy. NGC 1427A will not survive long as an identifiable galaxy passing through the cluster. Within the next billion years, it will be completely disrupted, spilling its st

Galaxy NGC 1427A in the Furnace - The irregular galaxy NGC 1427A in Fornax - The galaxy NGC 1427A is located in the Furnace cluster about 62 million years ago - light from Earth. It is an irregular galaxy populated with young clusters of blue stars and many star-forming regions. Further away, other galaxies are visible in the background. The irregular galaxy NGC 1427A is a small bluish galaxy plunging headlong into the Fornax galaxy group at 600 kilometers per second or nearly 400 miles per second. NGC 1427A, which is located some 62 million light - years away from Earth in the direction of the constellation Fornax, shows numerous hot, blue stars in this image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. These blue stars have been formed very recently, showing that star formation is occurring extensively throughout the galaxy. NGC 1427A will not survive long as an identifiable galaxy passing through the cluster. Within the next billion years, it will be completely disrupted, spilling its st

PIX4609868

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

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

PIX4613427

Horsehead Nebula (B33) in Orion - Horsehead nebula in Orion - The horse head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emission nebula about 1500 years - light of the Earth in the constellation Orion. Lower left is the reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. This curious dark nebula is one of the best - known images in astronomy, probably because of its chance likeness to a recognisable form. The horse - head shape is an extension of a large cloud of dust which fills the lower part (east) of the picture and hides the light of stars beyond. The outer surface of the dusty gas (IC 434) runs roughly north - south and is illuminated by sigma Orionis (off the top of the picture) which causes the hydrogen there to fluoresce, outlining the horse - head shape. The diffuse haze to the left of the image (north) is scattered light from the bright star zeta Orionis. Though conspicuous here, the Horsehead is very difficult to see visually, even with a large telescope. A bright star is

Horsehead Nebula (B33) in Orion - Horsehead nebula in Orion - The horse head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emission nebula about 1500 years - light of the Earth in the constellation Orion. Lower left is the reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. This curious dark nebula is one of the best - known images in astronomy, probably because of its chance likeness to a recognisable form. The horse - head shape is an extension of a large cloud of dust which fills the lower part (east) of the picture and hides the light of stars beyond. The outer surface of the dusty gas (IC 434) runs roughly north - south and is illuminated by sigma Orionis (off the top of the picture) which causes the hydrogen there to fluoresce, outlining the horse - head shape. The diffuse haze to the left of the image (north) is scattered light from the bright star zeta Orionis. Though conspicuous here, the Horsehead is very difficult to see visually, even with a large telescope. A bright star is

PIX4622095

Horsehead Nebula (B33) in Orion - Horsehead nebula in Orion - The horse head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emission nebula about 1500 years - light of the Earth in the constellation Orion. Lower left is the reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. This curious dark nebula is one of the best - known images in astronomy, probably because of its chance likeness to a recognisable form. The horse - head shape is an extension of a large cloud of dust which fills the lower part (east) of the picture and hides the light of stars beyond. The outer surface of the dusty gas (IC 434) runs roughly north - south and is illuminated by sigma Orionis (off the top of the picture) which causes the hydrogen there to fluoresce, outlining the horse - head shape. The diffuse haze to the left of the image (north) is scattered light from the bright star zeta Orionis. Though conspicuous here, the Horsehead is very difficult to see visually, even with a large telescope. A bright star is

Horsehead Nebula (B33) in Orion - Horsehead nebula in Orion - The horse head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emission nebula about 1500 years - light of the Earth in the constellation Orion. Lower left is the reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. This curious dark nebula is one of the best - known images in astronomy, probably because of its chance likeness to a recognisable form. The horse - head shape is an extension of a large cloud of dust which fills the lower part (east) of the picture and hides the light of stars beyond. The outer surface of the dusty gas (IC 434) runs roughly north - south and is illuminated by sigma Orionis (off the top of the picture) which causes the hydrogen there to fluoresce, outlining the horse - head shape. The diffuse haze to the left of the image (north) is scattered light from the bright star zeta Orionis. Though conspicuous here, the Horsehead is very difficult to see visually, even with a large telescope. A bright star is

PIX4622023

Remains of the Crab Supernova (M1) in the Taurus - M1, the Crab Nebula, is a supernova remnant from a star that exploded in July or August of 1054 AD and was witnessed and described by Chinese astronomers as being six times brighter than Venus. The supernova, located in the constellation of Taurus and about 7,000 light years away from the Earth, shined with the light of 400 million suns, was visible in the daytime for almost a month, and remained visible in the evening sky for more than a year. Today, some 900 years later, we see the remains of the exploded star as a cloud of gaseous debris, illuminated by the remnants of the core of the original star, which is now a rapidly spinning neutron star called a pulsar. The colors in the nebula come from two different sources. The red filaments come from typical hydrogen emission such as in emission nebula like M8. The diffuse blue background has a continuous spectrum composed of synchrotron radiation which is emitted by high energy electrons

Remains of the Crab Supernova (M1) in the Taurus - M1, the Crab Nebula, is a supernova remnant from a star that exploded in July or August of 1054 AD and was witnessed and described by Chinese astronomers as being six times brighter than Venus. The supernova, located in the constellation of Taurus and about 7,000 light years away from the Earth, shined with the light of 400 million suns, was visible in the daytime for almost a month, and remained visible in the evening sky for more than a year. Today, some 900 years later, we see the remains of the exploded star as a cloud of gaseous debris, illuminated by the remnants of the core of the original star, which is now a rapidly spinning neutron star called a pulsar. The colors in the nebula come from two different sources. The red filaments come from typical hydrogen emission such as in emission nebula like M8. The diffuse blue background has a continuous spectrum composed of synchrotron radiation which is emitted by high energy electrons

Jerry Lodriguss

PIX4583001

Spiral galaxy M33 in the Triangle - Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum - M33, (NGC 598), the galaxy of the Triangle, is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. This image is a composite of two black and white images obtained from the 1.2m telescope of Mount Palomar, California. Spiral galaxy M33 is a mid - sized member of our Local Group of Galaxies. M33 is also called the Triangulum Galaxy for the constellation in which it resides. About four times smaller (in radius) than our Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), it is much larger than the many of the local dwarf spheroidal galaxies. M33's proximity to M31 causes it to be thought by some to be a satellite galaxy of this more massive galaxy. M33's proximity to our Milky Way Galaxy causes it to appear more than twice the angular size of the Full Moon, and be visible with a good pair of binoculars. <BR>This image is a composite from black and

Spiral galaxy M33 in the Triangle - Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum - M33, (NGC 598), the galaxy of the Triangle, is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. This image is a composite of two black and white images obtained from the 1.2m telescope of Mount Palomar, California. Spiral galaxy M33 is a mid - sized member of our Local Group of Galaxies. M33 is also called the Triangulum Galaxy for the constellation in which it resides. About four times smaller (in radius) than our Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), it is much larger than the many of the local dwarf spheroidal galaxies. M33's proximity to M31 causes it to be thought by some to be a satellite galaxy of this more massive galaxy. M33's proximity to our Milky Way Galaxy causes it to appear more than twice the angular size of the Full Moon, and be visible with a good pair of binoculars. <BR>This image is a composite from black and

D. De Martin

PIX4609266

Nebulae NGC 2024 and Head of Horse seen by VISTA - Flame nebula and the Horsehead Nebula - First image obtained by the telescope of 4 meters in diameter VISTA. This infrared image shows the nebula NGC 2024 (left), the small nebula NGC 2023 (right middle) and the nebula of the horse's head (top right). The bright star on the top left is the star Alnitak. This image, the first to be released publicly from VISTA, the world's largest survey telescope, shows the spectacular star - forming region known as the Flame Nebula, or NGC 2024, in the constellation of Orion (the Hunter) and its surroundings. In views of this evocative object in visible light the core of the nebula is completely hidden behind obscuring dust, but in this VISTA view, taken in infrared light, the cluster of very young stars at the object's heart is revealed. The wide - field VISTA view also includes the glow of the reflection nebula NGC 2023, middle right, and the ghostly outline of the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) towa

Nebulae NGC 2024 and Head of Horse seen by VISTA - Flame nebula and the Horsehead Nebula - First image obtained by the telescope of 4 meters in diameter VISTA. This infrared image shows the nebula NGC 2024 (left), the small nebula NGC 2023 (right middle) and the nebula of the horse's head (top right). The bright star on the top left is the star Alnitak. This image, the first to be released publicly from VISTA, the world's largest survey telescope, shows the spectacular star - forming region known as the Flame Nebula, or NGC 2024, in the constellation of Orion (the Hunter) and its surroundings. In views of this evocative object in visible light the core of the nebula is completely hidden behind obscuring dust, but in this VISTA view, taken in infrared light, the cluster of very young stars at the object's heart is revealed. The wide - field VISTA view also includes the glow of the reflection nebula NGC 2023, middle right, and the ghostly outline of the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) towa

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Planetary nebula M 27 (NGC 6853) in the little fox - This excellent image of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC6853), a planetary nebula in the constellation of Vulpecula, was taken at the 3.5 - meter WIYN telescope using the mini - mosaic imager. The nebula was formed when an evolved, red giant star ejected its outer envelope near the end of its lifetime. The expanding cloud of gas becomes visible once the hot core of the star, visible near the center, is exposed and the high - energy, ultraviolet light from the core ionizes the cloud. This makes the nebula emit mostly a strong emission - line spectrum. This color image was obtained by combining three separate pictures, each one taken through a narrow filter centered at the emission wavelengths of Hydrogen (H alpha, red, 656 nm), doubly ionized Oxygen (OII, green, 501 nm), and neutral Oxygen (OI, blue, 630 nm). It is physically very interesting that neutral gas can survive in a region right next to highly ionized gas, and this image shows

Planetary nebula M 27 (NGC 6853) in the little fox - This excellent image of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC6853), a planetary nebula in the constellation of Vulpecula, was taken at the 3.5 - meter WIYN telescope using the mini - mosaic imager. The nebula was formed when an evolved, red giant star ejected its outer envelope near the end of its lifetime. The expanding cloud of gas becomes visible once the hot core of the star, visible near the center, is exposed and the high - energy, ultraviolet light from the core ionizes the cloud. This makes the nebula emit mostly a strong emission - line spectrum. This color image was obtained by combining three separate pictures, each one taken through a narrow filter centered at the emission wavelengths of Hydrogen (H alpha, red, 656 nm), doubly ionized Oxygen (OII, green, 501 nm), and neutral Oxygen (OI, blue, 630 nm). It is physically very interesting that neutral gas can survive in a region right next to highly ionized gas, and this image shows

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Nebulae IC 2948 and 2944 in Centaur - A large southern emission nebula, IC 2948 - Nebula IC 2948 is a vast nebula located about 6000 years from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaur. It is associated with the cluster of stars IC 2944 near which Bok's blood cells are visible. A Bok's blood cell is a dark interstellar cloud of gases and dust that absorb light. If it condenses enough, it gives birth to new stars. Between the Southern Cross and the rich Carina region, on the southern border of Centaurus, is a large, almost featureless emission nebula, IC 2948, with a sprinkling of bright stars, Collinder 249. It is against this uniform, backdrop that we see a brighter region (IC 2944) which hosts small group of dark clouds of the kind known as 'Bok globules'. They are named for the Dutch - American astronomer who first drew attention to them as the possible sites of star formation. There are young stars scattered through the nebula and these stars are responsible for its existence

Nebulae IC 2948 and 2944 in Centaur - A large southern emission nebula, IC 2948 - Nebula IC 2948 is a vast nebula located about 6000 years from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaur. It is associated with the cluster of stars IC 2944 near which Bok's blood cells are visible. A Bok's blood cell is a dark interstellar cloud of gases and dust that absorb light. If it condenses enough, it gives birth to new stars. Between the Southern Cross and the rich Carina region, on the southern border of Centaurus, is a large, almost featureless emission nebula, IC 2948, with a sprinkling of bright stars, Collinder 249. It is against this uniform, backdrop that we see a brighter region (IC 2944) which hosts small group of dark clouds of the kind known as 'Bok globules'. They are named for the Dutch - American astronomer who first drew attention to them as the possible sites of star formation. There are young stars scattered through the nebula and these stars are responsible for its existence

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

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

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Artist view of Beta Pictoris b - Beta Pictoris b. Artwork: Artist's view of Beta Pictoris b, a giant exoplanet with a mass equivalent to 9 times the mass of Jupiter orbit around the star Beta Pictoris. This artist's impression shows how the planet inside the disc of Beta Pictoris may look. Only 12 million years old, or less than three-thousandths of the age of the Sun, Beta Pictoris is 75% more massive than our parent star. It is located about 60 light-years away towards the constellation of Pictor (the Painter) and is one of the best-known examples of a star surrounded by a dusty debris disc. Earlier observations showed a warp of the disc, a secondary inclined disc and comets falling onto the star, all indirect, but tell-tale signs that strongly suggested the presence of a massive planet. Observations done with the NACO instrument on Eso's Very Large Telescope in 2003, 2008 and 2009, have proven the presence of a planet around Beta Pictoris. It is located at a distance between 8 and 1

Artist view of Beta Pictoris b - Beta Pictoris b. Artwork: Artist's view of Beta Pictoris b, a giant exoplanet with a mass equivalent to 9 times the mass of Jupiter orbit around the star Beta Pictoris. This artist's impression shows how the planet inside the disc of Beta Pictoris may look. Only 12 million years old, or less than three-thousandths of the age of the Sun, Beta Pictoris is 75% more massive than our parent star. It is located about 60 light-years away towards the constellation of Pictor (the Painter) and is one of the best-known examples of a star surrounded by a dusty debris disc. Earlier observations showed a warp of the disc, a secondary inclined disc and comets falling onto the star, all indirect, but tell-tale signs that strongly suggested the presence of a massive planet. Observations done with the NACO instrument on Eso's Very Large Telescope in 2003, 2008 and 2009, have proven the presence of a planet around Beta Pictoris. It is located at a distance between 8 and 1

Miller, Ron (b.1947)

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Birth of stars in the nebula NGC 3372 - Star formation in the Carina Nebula - Detail of the Carene nebula (NGC 3372) obtained by the Hubble space telescope. The image shows a column of gas eroded by ultraviolet radiation emitted by young stars. Jets are also visible, showing the presence of emerging stars. NGC 3372 is located about 7500 light years away from Earth. The colors used in this image correspond to the emissions of different gases: sulfur in red, hydrogen in green and oxygen in blue. The NASA Hubble Space Telescope photograph captures the chaotic activity atop a three - light - year - tall pillar of gas and dust that is being eaten away by the brilliant light from nearby bright stars. The pillar is also being assaulted from within, as infant stars buried inside it fire off jets of gas that can be seen streaming from towering peaks. This turbulent cosmic pinnacle lies within a tempestuous stellar nursery called the Carina Nebula, located 7,500 light - years away in the souther

Birth of stars in the nebula NGC 3372 - Star formation in the Carina Nebula - Detail of the Carene nebula (NGC 3372) obtained by the Hubble space telescope. The image shows a column of gas eroded by ultraviolet radiation emitted by young stars. Jets are also visible, showing the presence of emerging stars. NGC 3372 is located about 7500 light years away from Earth. The colors used in this image correspond to the emissions of different gases: sulfur in red, hydrogen in green and oxygen in blue. The NASA Hubble Space Telescope photograph captures the chaotic activity atop a three - light - year - tall pillar of gas and dust that is being eaten away by the brilliant light from nearby bright stars. The pillar is also being assaulted from within, as infant stars buried inside it fire off jets of gas that can be seen streaming from towering peaks. This turbulent cosmic pinnacle lies within a tempestuous stellar nursery called the Carina Nebula, located 7,500 light - years away in the souther

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

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

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Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon. This photo was obtained by the MPG/ESO telesope of 2.2 - m in La Silla in Chile, total pose of 50 hours. Located some 7 million light - years away, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 is a beautiful representative of its class, a Milky - Way - like member of the prominent Sculptor group of galaxies in the southern constellation of that name. This picture of NGC 300 was taken using the Wide Field Imager (WFI) at Eso's La Silla Observatory in Chile. It was assembled from many individual images through a large set of different filters over many observing nights, spanning several years. The images were mostly taken through filters that transmit red, green or blue light. These were supplemented by images through spec

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon. This photo was obtained by the MPG/ESO telesope of 2.2 - m in La Silla in Chile, total pose of 50 hours. Located some 7 million light - years away, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 is a beautiful representative of its class, a Milky - Way - like member of the prominent Sculptor group of galaxies in the southern constellation of that name. This picture of NGC 300 was taken using the Wide Field Imager (WFI) at Eso's La Silla Observatory in Chile. It was assembled from many individual images through a large set of different filters over many observing nights, spanning several years. The images were mostly taken through filters that transmit red, green or blue light. These were supplemented by images through spec

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Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in Fornax - NGC 1365 is a barree spiral galaxy that extends over 200,000 years - light. Located 60 million years ago - light, it belongs to the cluster of galaxies of the Furnace. Image obtained in 1999 by the European telescope Antu of the VLT in Chile. NGC 1365 is one of the most prominent “” barred”” galaxies in the sky. It is a supergiant galaxy with a diameter of about 200,000 light - years, seen in the direction of the southern constellation Fornax. It is a major member of the Fornax Cluster of Galaxies. The distance is about 60 million light - years. A massive straight bar runs through this galaxy and contains the nucleus at the centre. It consists mostly of older stars that give a reddish colour to the bar.The gravitational perturbation from the bar causes interstellar gas and dust clouds to form a pair of spiral arms that extend from the ends of the bar. Young luminous hot stars, born out of the inter

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in Fornax - NGC 1365 is a barree spiral galaxy that extends over 200,000 years - light. Located 60 million years ago - light, it belongs to the cluster of galaxies of the Furnace. Image obtained in 1999 by the European telescope Antu of the VLT in Chile. NGC 1365 is one of the most prominent “” barred”” galaxies in the sky. It is a supergiant galaxy with a diameter of about 200,000 light - years, seen in the direction of the southern constellation Fornax. It is a major member of the Fornax Cluster of Galaxies. The distance is about 60 million light - years. A massive straight bar runs through this galaxy and contains the nucleus at the centre. It consists mostly of older stars that give a reddish colour to the bar.The gravitational perturbation from the bar causes interstellar gas and dust clouds to form a pair of spiral arms that extend from the ends of the bar. Young luminous hot stars, born out of the inter

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Coeur de la nebula de la Lagoon dans le sagittarius/HST - This NASA Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image reveals a pair of one - half light - year long interstellar “” twisters”” in the heart of the Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8) which lies 5,000 light - years away in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. The central hot O type star, Herschel 36 (lower right), is the primary source of the ionizing radiation for the brightest region in the nebula, called the Hourglass. Other hot stars, also present in the nebula, are ionizing the extended optical nebulosity. The ionizing radiation induces photo - evaporation of the surfaces of the clouds and drives away violent stellar winds tearing into the cool clouds. Analogous to the spectacular phenomena of Earth tornadoes, the large difference in temperature between the hot surface and cold interior of the clouds, combined with the pressure of starlight, may produce strong horizontal shear to twist the clouds into their tornado - like appearanc

Coeur de la nebula de la Lagoon dans le sagittarius/HST - This NASA Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image reveals a pair of one - half light - year long interstellar “” twisters”” in the heart of the Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8) which lies 5,000 light - years away in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. The central hot O type star, Herschel 36 (lower right), is the primary source of the ionizing radiation for the brightest region in the nebula, called the Hourglass. Other hot stars, also present in the nebula, are ionizing the extended optical nebulosity. The ionizing radiation induces photo - evaporation of the surfaces of the clouds and drives away violent stellar winds tearing into the cool clouds. Analogous to the spectacular phenomena of Earth tornadoes, the large difference in temperature between the hot surface and cold interior of the clouds, combined with the pressure of starlight, may produce strong horizontal shear to twist the clouds into their tornado - like appearanc

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Exoplanete in formation - NGC 2547-ID8: Illustration of the collision between two asteroids in the habitable zone of the star NGC 2547-ID8. This could result in an accretion-forming rocky exoplanet. Planets, including those like our own Earth, form from epic collisions between asteroids and even bigger bodies, called proto-planets. Sometimes the colliding bodies are ground to dust, and sometimes they stick together to ultimately form larger, mature planets. This artist's conception shows one such smash-up. Spitzer's infrared vision detected a huge eruption around the star NGC 2547-ID8 between August 2012 and 2013. Scientists think the dust was kicked up by a massive collision between two large asteroids. They say the smashup took place in the star's “” terrestrial zone,””” the region around stars where rocky planets like Earth take shape. NGC 2547-ID8 is a sun-like star located about 1,200 light-years from Earth in the constellation Vela. It is about 35 million years old, the same age

Exoplanete in formation - NGC 2547-ID8: Illustration of the collision between two asteroids in the habitable zone of the star NGC 2547-ID8. This could result in an accretion-forming rocky exoplanet. Planets, including those like our own Earth, form from epic collisions between asteroids and even bigger bodies, called proto-planets. Sometimes the colliding bodies are ground to dust, and sometimes they stick together to ultimately form larger, mature planets. This artist's conception shows one such smash-up. Spitzer's infrared vision detected a huge eruption around the star NGC 2547-ID8 between August 2012 and 2013. Scientists think the dust was kicked up by a massive collision between two large asteroids. They say the smashup took place in the star's “” terrestrial zone,””” the region around stars where rocky planets like Earth take shape. NGC 2547-ID8 is a sun-like star located about 1,200 light-years from Earth in the constellation Vela. It is about 35 million years old, the same age

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Perseus Molecular Cloud, 2015 (digital photo)

Perseus Molecular Cloud, 2015 (digital photo)

Pech, Pavel (21st century)

MMM7341508

Horsehead Nebula (IC 434) in Orion - Horsehead Nebula (B33) in Orion - The horse's head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emitting nebula about 1500 years - light from Earth in the constellation Orion. At the bottom left, the nebula NGC 2024 with just above the star Alnitak, a supergiant star belonging to the Baudrier of Orion. Towards the center of the image, a reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. This distinctive red emission nebula (IC 434) is the result of radiation from sigma Orionis interacting with the surface of a dusty cloud of gas from which projects the dark shape of the head of a horse. Sigma is the second brightest star in the picture and is at about the same distance from the Sun as the nebula. The brightest star here is zeta Orionis, easily visible to the unaided eye as the easternmost star in the line of three which form Orion's Belt. Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) is a supergiant star with a brightness 35,000 times greater than the Sun. Its mass is 20

Horsehead Nebula (IC 434) in Orion - Horsehead Nebula (B33) in Orion - The horse's head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emitting nebula about 1500 years - light from Earth in the constellation Orion. At the bottom left, the nebula NGC 2024 with just above the star Alnitak, a supergiant star belonging to the Baudrier of Orion. Towards the center of the image, a reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. This distinctive red emission nebula (IC 434) is the result of radiation from sigma Orionis interacting with the surface of a dusty cloud of gas from which projects the dark shape of the head of a horse. Sigma is the second brightest star in the picture and is at about the same distance from the Sun as the nebula. The brightest star here is zeta Orionis, easily visible to the unaided eye as the easternmost star in the line of three which form Orion's Belt. Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) is a supergiant star with a brightness 35,000 times greater than the Sun. Its mass is 20

Stephane Guisard

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Spiral galaxy NGC 3982 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy NGC 3982 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy NGC 3982 is located about 68 million years ago - light from Earth. It extends over about 30,000 light years. It is a spiral galaxy that houses a black hole in its heart and large zones of star formation in its arms. This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This face - on spiral galaxy, called NGC 3982, is striking for its rich tapestry of star birth, along with its winding arms. The arms are lined with pink star - forming regions of glowing hydrogen, newborn blue star clusters, and obscuring dust lanes that provide the raw material for future generations of stars. The bright nucleus is home to an older population of stars, which grow ever more densely packed towards the center. NGC 3982 is located about 68 million light - years away in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy spans about 30,000 light - years, one - third of the size of our Milky Way galaxy. This color im

Spiral galaxy NGC 3982 in the Great Bear - Spiral galaxy NGC 3982 in Ursa Major - The spiral galaxy NGC 3982 is located about 68 million years ago - light from Earth. It extends over about 30,000 light years. It is a spiral galaxy that houses a black hole in its heart and large zones of star formation in its arms. This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This face - on spiral galaxy, called NGC 3982, is striking for its rich tapestry of star birth, along with its winding arms. The arms are lined with pink star - forming regions of glowing hydrogen, newborn blue star clusters, and obscuring dust lanes that provide the raw material for future generations of stars. The bright nucleus is home to an older population of stars, which grow ever more densely packed towards the center. NGC 3982 is located about 68 million light - years away in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy spans about 30,000 light - years, one - third of the size of our Milky Way galaxy. This color im

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Spiral Galaxy NGC 2397 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 2397 - The galaxy NGC 2397 is a classic spiral galaxy located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Flying Fish. The central part houses old yellow and red stars while new stars form in the outer arms. This image obtained by the space telescope on 14 October 2006 shows the brightest of these young blue stars. The 2006bc supernova, which exploded in March 2006, is also visible near the central region, while its eclat was decreasing (box). Located nearly 60 million light - years away from Earth, the galaxy NGC 2397 is typical of most spirals, with mostly older, yellow and red stars in its central portion, while star formation continues in the outer, bluer spiral arms. The brightest of these young, blue stars can be seen individually in this high resolution view from the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). One typical feature of this Hubble image is the view of supernova SN 2006bc taken when its br

Spiral Galaxy NGC 2397 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 2397 - The galaxy NGC 2397 is a classic spiral galaxy located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Flying Fish. The central part houses old yellow and red stars while new stars form in the outer arms. This image obtained by the space telescope on 14 October 2006 shows the brightest of these young blue stars. The 2006bc supernova, which exploded in March 2006, is also visible near the central region, while its eclat was decreasing (box). Located nearly 60 million light - years away from Earth, the galaxy NGC 2397 is typical of most spirals, with mostly older, yellow and red stars in its central portion, while star formation continues in the outer, bluer spiral arms. The brightest of these young, blue stars can be seen individually in this high resolution view from the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). One typical feature of this Hubble image is the view of supernova SN 2006bc taken when its br

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Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) in visible and infrared - Galaxy Centaurus A in visible and infrared - The galaxy NGC 5128 is about 13 million years away - light from Earth. This an elliptical galaxy that cannibalized a small spiral galaxy. The infrared image, on the right, reveals the complex structure of the central dust strip. Images obtained on the left by Cerro Tololo's 4m telescope and on the right by the Spitzer space telescope. Centaurus A (NGC 5128) is the nearest active galaxy to Earth. Located 13 million light - years away in the southern constellation Centaurus, 'Cen A' appears to be the result of a merger - collision between a large elliptical galaxy (which has a black hole at its center) and a smaller spiral galaxy that veered too close to the larger one, resulting in the cannabalization of the small galaxy. The visible image (left) from the National Science Foundation's Blanco 4 - meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter - American Observatory in Chile is dominated by a brigh

Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) in visible and infrared - Galaxy Centaurus A in visible and infrared - The galaxy NGC 5128 is about 13 million years away - light from Earth. This an elliptical galaxy that cannibalized a small spiral galaxy. The infrared image, on the right, reveals the complex structure of the central dust strip. Images obtained on the left by Cerro Tololo's 4m telescope and on the right by the Spitzer space telescope. Centaurus A (NGC 5128) is the nearest active galaxy to Earth. Located 13 million light - years away in the southern constellation Centaurus, 'Cen A' appears to be the result of a merger - collision between a large elliptical galaxy (which has a black hole at its center) and a smaller spiral galaxy that veered too close to the larger one, resulting in the cannabalization of the small galaxy. The visible image (left) from the National Science Foundation's Blanco 4 - meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter - American Observatory in Chile is dominated by a brigh

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Galaxies Group: Stephan's Quintet in Pegase - Stephan's Quintet group of galaxies - Image obtained with the Hubble space telescope. This group of 5 galaxies is located about 270 million light years away from Earth. In this image three star-forming regions are visible: in the long arm of NGC 7319 (near the center); the gas debris of two galaxies, NGC 7318B and NGC 7318A (upper right); and in the upper left. Blue indicates that these stars are young. This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is a close - up view of the central part of Stephan's Quintet, giving a magnificent view of a gigantic cosmic collision. Stephan's Quintet, as its name implies, is a group of five galaxies (NGC7317, 7318A, 7318B, 7319 and 7320) and lies about 270 million light - years away in the constellation of Pegasus (North - west of the Great Square of Pegasus). A sixth galaxy (NGC 7320C) lies south - east of the other five (upper left - hand corner of the overview image). The galaxy group was the first of its

Galaxies Group: Stephan's Quintet in Pegase - Stephan's Quintet group of galaxies - Image obtained with the Hubble space telescope. This group of 5 galaxies is located about 270 million light years away from Earth. In this image three star-forming regions are visible: in the long arm of NGC 7319 (near the center); the gas debris of two galaxies, NGC 7318B and NGC 7318A (upper right); and in the upper left. Blue indicates that these stars are young. This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is a close - up view of the central part of Stephan's Quintet, giving a magnificent view of a gigantic cosmic collision. Stephan's Quintet, as its name implies, is a group of five galaxies (NGC7317, 7318A, 7318B, 7319 and 7320) and lies about 270 million light - years away in the constellation of Pegasus (North - west of the Great Square of Pegasus). A sixth galaxy (NGC 7320C) lies south - east of the other five (upper left - hand corner of the overview image). The galaxy group was the first of its

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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. 34 hours of installation. This new Hubble image shows galaxy cluster Abell 1689. It combines both visible and infrared data from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) with a combined exposure time of over 34 hours (image on left over 13 hours, image on right over 20 hours) to reveal this patch of sky in greater and striking detail than in previous observations. This image is peppered with glowing golden clumps, bright stars, and distant, ethereal spiral galaxies. Material from some of these galaxies is being stripped away, giving the impression that the galaxy is dripping, or bleeding, into the surrounding space. Also

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. 34 hours of installation. This new Hubble image shows galaxy cluster Abell 1689. It combines both visible and infrared data from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) with a combined exposure time of over 34 hours (image on left over 13 hours, image on right over 20 hours) to reveal this patch of sky in greater and striking detail than in previous observations. This image is peppered with glowing golden clumps, bright stars, and distant, ethereal spiral galaxies. Material from some of these galaxies is being stripped away, giving the impression that the galaxy is dripping, or bleeding, into the surrounding space. Also

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Around the Tarantula Nebula - Around the Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud - The Tarantula Nebula (or 30 Bream) is the largest star-forming region of the Great Magellan Cloud. It is located 170,000 light years ago in the constellation Dorado (southern hemisphere). At the center of this nebula, the open cluster of R136 stars, clusters of hot and massive stars. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. In this picture we see the eastern end of the Large Magellanic Cloud where lies one of the most active star formation regions known. If this enormous complex of stars, gas and dust were at the distance of the better - known Orion Nebula the brightest parts of it would visible during the day and would cover a quarter of the sky at night. While the Orion Nebula contains a mere handful of the hot blue stars which energise it, the Tarantula nebula has spawned many thousands in the bright central region, which surrounds a compact, brilliant cluster known

Around the Tarantula Nebula - Around the Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud - The Tarantula Nebula (or 30 Bream) is the largest star-forming region of the Great Magellan Cloud. It is located 170,000 light years ago in the constellation Dorado (southern hemisphere). At the center of this nebula, the open cluster of R136 stars, clusters of hot and massive stars. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. In this picture we see the eastern end of the Large Magellanic Cloud where lies one of the most active star formation regions known. If this enormous complex of stars, gas and dust were at the distance of the better - known Orion Nebula the brightest parts of it would visible during the day and would cover a quarter of the sky at night. While the Orion Nebula contains a mere handful of the hot blue stars which energise it, the Tarantula nebula has spawned many thousands in the bright central region, which surrounds a compact, brilliant cluster known

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Clubs R136 in the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) - Central region of the Tarantula Nebula - The Tarantula Nebula (or 30 Bream) is the largest star-forming region of the Magellan Cloud. It is located 170,000 light years ago in the constellation Dorado (southern hemisphere). In the center of this nebula, the open cluster of R136 stars (on the right), clusters of young, hot and massive stars, age barely 5 million years. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 2009. The Tarantula is situated 170,000 light - years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) in the southern sky and is clearly visible to the naked eye as a large milky patch. To thr right of the image there is a huge cluster of very hot stars called R136. The stars in R136 are also among the most massive stars we know. R136 is also a very young cluster, its oldest stars being 'just' 5 million years old or so. Its smallest stars, however, are still forming. The image, taken in ultraviolet, visible, and red light by Hu

Clubs R136 in the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) - Central region of the Tarantula Nebula - The Tarantula Nebula (or 30 Bream) is the largest star-forming region of the Magellan Cloud. It is located 170,000 light years ago in the constellation Dorado (southern hemisphere). In the center of this nebula, the open cluster of R136 stars (on the right), clusters of young, hot and massive stars, age barely 5 million years. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 2009. The Tarantula is situated 170,000 light - years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) in the southern sky and is clearly visible to the naked eye as a large milky patch. To thr right of the image there is a huge cluster of very hot stars called R136. The stars in R136 are also among the most massive stars we know. R136 is also a very young cluster, its oldest stars being 'just' 5 million years old or so. Its smallest stars, however, are still forming. The image, taken in ultraviolet, visible, and red light by Hu

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The cluster of galaxies in Fornax - The cluster of galaxies in Fornax - clusters of galaxies situated about 55 million years ago - light. In the center of the image is the barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365; at the bottom right of the image, the interaction galaxy NGC 1316 - 17 (Fornax A), which is one of the strongest known radiosource. Galaxies can be separated by their appearance into two broad groups, spirals and ellipticals. An example of a spiral galaxy, NGC 1365, is seen in center of this picture. In contrast, most of the galaxies in this cluster are ellipticals, which contain little or no gas or evidence of star formation; indeed they are composed millions of rather old, yellowish stars. Unlike many of the stars in spiral systems, those in ellipticals have orbits which are not confined to a narrow plane, so the galaxy can have a shape anywhere between a perfect sphere and an American football. This kind of galaxy is the most common type in the photograph as it is in all of the nearb

The cluster of galaxies in Fornax - The cluster of galaxies in Fornax - clusters of galaxies situated about 55 million years ago - light. In the center of the image is the barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365; at the bottom right of the image, the interaction galaxy NGC 1316 - 17 (Fornax A), which is one of the strongest known radiosource. Galaxies can be separated by their appearance into two broad groups, spirals and ellipticals. An example of a spiral galaxy, NGC 1365, is seen in center of this picture. In contrast, most of the galaxies in this cluster are ellipticals, which contain little or no gas or evidence of star formation; indeed they are composed millions of rather old, yellowish stars. Unlike many of the stars in spiral systems, those in ellipticals have orbits which are not confined to a narrow plane, so the galaxy can have a shape anywhere between a perfect sphere and an American football. This kind of galaxy is the most common type in the photograph as it is in all of the nearb

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Galaxies NGC 3718 and NGC 3729 in the Great Bear - Galaxies NGC 3718 and NGC 3729 in Ursa Major - NGC 3718 is a special galaxy located about 42 million years ago - light from Earth in the constellation of the Great Bear. It's an active nucleus galaxy. Its tormented shape is probably due to the attraction exerted by another galaxy, NGC 3729, visible to its left. To the south, Arp 322 (or Hickson 56), is a group of 5 galaxies far farther away, located about 300 million light years away from Earth. NGC 3718 and its companion NGC 3729 (left) are physically related members of the Ursa Major galaxy cluster. The two galaxies appear to orbit each other at a projected separation of 147,000 light years. NGC 3718 (Arp 214) seems to have a rudimentary bar and spiral structure although it is recognized as a peculiar galaxy and as such is listed within ARP's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. NGC 3718 contains an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and is known as a Seyfert type 1.9 galaxy. Its strange shape is

Galaxies NGC 3718 and NGC 3729 in the Great Bear - Galaxies NGC 3718 and NGC 3729 in Ursa Major - NGC 3718 is a special galaxy located about 42 million years ago - light from Earth in the constellation of the Great Bear. It's an active nucleus galaxy. Its tormented shape is probably due to the attraction exerted by another galaxy, NGC 3729, visible to its left. To the south, Arp 322 (or Hickson 56), is a group of 5 galaxies far farther away, located about 300 million light years away from Earth. NGC 3718 and its companion NGC 3729 (left) are physically related members of the Ursa Major galaxy cluster. The two galaxies appear to orbit each other at a projected separation of 147,000 light years. NGC 3718 (Arp 214) seems to have a rudimentary bar and spiral structure although it is recognized as a peculiar galaxy and as such is listed within ARP's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. NGC 3718 contains an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and is known as a Seyfert type 1.9 galaxy. Its strange shape is

R. Gendler

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Planetary Nebula Hen - 1357 dans l'Altar/HST - This Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 image captures the infancy of the Stingray nebula (Hen - 1357), the youngest known planetary nebula. In this image, the bright central star is in the middle of the green ring of gas. Its companion star is diagonally above it at 10 o'clock. A spur of gas (green) is forming a faint bridge to the companion star due to gravitational attraction. The image also shows a ring of gas (green) surrounding the central star, with bubbles of gas to the lower left and upper right of the ring. The wind of material propelled by radiation from the hot central star has created enough pressure to blow open holes in the ends of the bubbles, allowing gas to escape. The red curved lines represent bright gas that is heated by a “” shock””” caused when the central star's wind hits the walls of the bubbles. The nebula is as large as 130 solar systems, but, at its distance of 18,000 light - years, it appears only as big as a di

Planetary Nebula Hen - 1357 dans l'Altar/HST - This Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 image captures the infancy of the Stingray nebula (Hen - 1357), the youngest known planetary nebula. In this image, the bright central star is in the middle of the green ring of gas. Its companion star is diagonally above it at 10 o'clock. A spur of gas (green) is forming a faint bridge to the companion star due to gravitational attraction. The image also shows a ring of gas (green) surrounding the central star, with bubbles of gas to the lower left and upper right of the ring. The wind of material propelled by radiation from the hot central star has created enough pressure to blow open holes in the ends of the bubbles, allowing gas to escape. The red curved lines represent bright gas that is heated by a “” shock””” caused when the central star's wind hits the walls of the bubbles. The nebula is as large as 130 solar systems, but, at its distance of 18,000 light - years, it appears only as big as a di

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Spiral Galaxy M33 in the Triangle - Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum - The Galaxy of the Triangle (M33, NGC598) is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. In red, the star-forming regions appear, especially at the top left NGC 604 one of the largest and most active star-forming regions. It extends over 150 years of light. Image obtained from the Isaac Newton telescope of La Palma. M33 is a large, almost face - on spiral galaxy about 2.5 million light years distant in the northern constellation of Triangulum. It is a member of the 'Local Group' of galaxies, which is dominated by the Milky Way and M31. Like M31, M33 is approaching the Milky Way at a velocity of about 180km/s. Although the total light M33 galaxy is that of a star of magnitude 5.3, its large diameter makes it hard to see. However, despite its low surface brightness, this galaxy was among the first to be identified as a 'spiral nebula' by

Spiral Galaxy M33 in the Triangle - Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum - The Galaxy of the Triangle (M33, NGC598) is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. In red, the star-forming regions appear, especially at the top left NGC 604 one of the largest and most active star-forming regions. It extends over 150 years of light. Image obtained from the Isaac Newton telescope of La Palma. M33 is a large, almost face - on spiral galaxy about 2.5 million light years distant in the northern constellation of Triangulum. It is a member of the 'Local Group' of galaxies, which is dominated by the Milky Way and M31. Like M31, M33 is approaching the Milky Way at a velocity of about 180km/s. Although the total light M33 galaxy is that of a star of magnitude 5.3, its large diameter makes it hard to see. However, despite its low surface brightness, this galaxy was among the first to be identified as a 'spiral nebula' by

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Cepheide RS Puppis - Cepheides are very bright variable stars that serve as cosmic beacons to measure the distance of nearby galaxies. Their pulse period is measured and their absolute luminosite is calculated. By comparing the result to their apparent luminosite in the sky, they can be calculated accurately. Here, the space telescope photographed one of the brightest cepheids, RS Puppis (in the center of the image), located 6500 years - light in the southern constellation of the Puppi. The bright southern hemisphere star RS Puppis, at the center of the image, is swaddled in a gossamer cocoon of reflective dust illuminated by the glittering star. The super star is ten times more massive than our Sun and 200 times larger. RS Puppis rhythmically brightens and dims over a six - week cycle. It is one of the most luminous in the class of so - called Cepheid variable stars. Its average intrinsic brightness is 15,000 times greater than our Sun's luminosity. The nebula flickers in brightness a

Cepheide RS Puppis - Cepheides are very bright variable stars that serve as cosmic beacons to measure the distance of nearby galaxies. Their pulse period is measured and their absolute luminosite is calculated. By comparing the result to their apparent luminosite in the sky, they can be calculated accurately. Here, the space telescope photographed one of the brightest cepheids, RS Puppis (in the center of the image), located 6500 years - light in the southern constellation of the Puppi. The bright southern hemisphere star RS Puppis, at the center of the image, is swaddled in a gossamer cocoon of reflective dust illuminated by the glittering star. The super star is ten times more massive than our Sun and 200 times larger. RS Puppis rhythmically brightens and dims over a six - week cycle. It is one of the most luminous in the class of so - called Cepheid variable stars. Its average intrinsic brightness is 15,000 times greater than our Sun's luminosity. The nebula flickers in brightness a

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The Temples of Angkor, Angkor, Cambodia (photo)

The Temples of Angkor, Angkor, Cambodia (photo)

Sergi Reboredo

SRB1202747

The Temples of Angkor, Angkor, Cambodia (photo)

The Temples of Angkor, Angkor, Cambodia (photo)

Sergi Reboredo

SRB1202746

Super massive star Eta Carinae - Super massive star Eta Carinae - Eta Carinae is one of the most massive stars in our galaxy. Its mass would be about 120 times that of the Sun with a diameter 1000 times larger than our star. The image obtained by the Hubble space telescope reveals two expanding gas lobes; it is the nebula called the Homuncule, vestige of a huge explosion that the star experienced 150 years ago. The star blows its exterior atmosphere and will eventually explode in a supernova. Eta Carinae is located approximately 8000 light years from Earth in the southern constellation of Carene. A huge, billowing pair of gas and dust clouds is captured in this stunning Hubble telescope picture of the super - massive star Eta Carinae. Even though Eta Carinae is more than 8,000 light - years away, features 10 billion miles across (about the diameter of our solar system) can be distinguished. Eta Carinae suffered giant outburst about 150 years ago, when it became one of the brightest sta

Super massive star Eta Carinae - Super massive star Eta Carinae - Eta Carinae is one of the most massive stars in our galaxy. Its mass would be about 120 times that of the Sun with a diameter 1000 times larger than our star. The image obtained by the Hubble space telescope reveals two expanding gas lobes; it is the nebula called the Homuncule, vestige of a huge explosion that the star experienced 150 years ago. The star blows its exterior atmosphere and will eventually explode in a supernova. Eta Carinae is located approximately 8000 light years from Earth in the southern constellation of Carene. A huge, billowing pair of gas and dust clouds is captured in this stunning Hubble telescope picture of the super - massive star Eta Carinae. Even though Eta Carinae is more than 8,000 light - years away, features 10 billion miles across (about the diameter of our solar system) can be distinguished. Eta Carinae suffered giant outburst about 150 years ago, when it became one of the brightest sta

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Spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegase - Spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus: The galaxy NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light years away from Earth. Image obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus (The Winged Horse). Facing us partially edge-on, the galaxy showcases it's beautiful arms which swirl like a whirlpool around its bright central region. Astronomers took this image using Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), as they were observing an extraordinary exploding star - a supernova - which can still be faintly seen as a tiny red dot near the galaxy's central yellow core. Named SN2014C, it rapidly evolved from a supernova containing very little Hydrogen to one that is Hydrogen-rich - in just one year. This rarely observed metamorphosis was luminous at high energies and provides unique insight into the poorly understood final phases of massive stars. NGC 7331 is similar in size, shape, and mass to the

Spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegase - Spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus: The galaxy NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light years away from Earth. Image obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus (The Winged Horse). Facing us partially edge-on, the galaxy showcases it's beautiful arms which swirl like a whirlpool around its bright central region. Astronomers took this image using Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), as they were observing an extraordinary exploding star - a supernova - which can still be faintly seen as a tiny red dot near the galaxy's central yellow core. Named SN2014C, it rapidly evolved from a supernova containing very little Hydrogen to one that is Hydrogen-rich - in just one year. This rarely observed metamorphosis was luminous at high energies and provides unique insight into the poorly understood final phases of massive stars. NGC 7331 is similar in size, shape, and mass to the

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Center of the Omega Nebula (M17) in the sagittarius seen by HST - Center of the Omega Nebula, a hotbed of newly born stars wrapped in colorful blankets of glowing gas and cradled in an enormous cold, dark hydrogen cloud. This picture was taken by the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) aboard Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope. The region of the nebula shown in this photograph is about 3,500 times wider than our solar system. The area represents about 60 percent of the total view captured by ACS. The nebula, also called M17 and the Swan Nebula, resides 5,500 light - years away in the constellation Sagittarius. Like its famous cousin in Orion, the Swan Nebula is illuminated by ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars, located just beyond the upper right corner of the image. Each star is about six times hotter and 30 times more massive than the Sun. The powerful radiation from these stars evaporates and erodes the dense cloud of cold gas within which the stars formed. The blistered walls

Center of the Omega Nebula (M17) in the sagittarius seen by HST - Center of the Omega Nebula, a hotbed of newly born stars wrapped in colorful blankets of glowing gas and cradled in an enormous cold, dark hydrogen cloud. This picture was taken by the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) aboard Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope. The region of the nebula shown in this photograph is about 3,500 times wider than our solar system. The area represents about 60 percent of the total view captured by ACS. The nebula, also called M17 and the Swan Nebula, resides 5,500 light - years away in the constellation Sagittarius. Like its famous cousin in Orion, the Swan Nebula is illuminated by ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars, located just beyond the upper right corner of the image. Each star is about six times hotter and 30 times more massive than the Sun. The powerful radiation from these stars evaporates and erodes the dense cloud of cold gas within which the stars formed. The blistered walls

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

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

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Interacting galaxies NGC 4038 - 4039 in the Raven - The Antennae galaxy in Corvus - On the left, seen from the ground of the galaxy NGC 4038 - 39 (antenna galaxy), located about 45 million years ago - light. These two galaxies are interacting. The collision started at least 100 million years ago causes intense star formation. On the right, the image made by the space telescope Hubble on 20 January 1996 shows in detail the nuclei of these two twin galaxies surrounded by young clusters of blue stars, more than 1000, made up of young and massive stars. At left, a ground - based telescopic view of the Antennae galaxies (known formally as NGC 4038/4039) - so named because a pair of long tails of luminous matter, formed by the gravitational tidal forces of their encounter, resemble an insect's antennae. The galaxies are located 45 million light - years away in the southern constellation Corvus. At right, the respective cores of the twin galaxies are the orange blobs, left and right of image

Interacting galaxies NGC 4038 - 4039 in the Raven - The Antennae galaxy in Corvus - On the left, seen from the ground of the galaxy NGC 4038 - 39 (antenna galaxy), located about 45 million years ago - light. These two galaxies are interacting. The collision started at least 100 million years ago causes intense star formation. On the right, the image made by the space telescope Hubble on 20 January 1996 shows in detail the nuclei of these two twin galaxies surrounded by young clusters of blue stars, more than 1000, made up of young and massive stars. At left, a ground - based telescopic view of the Antennae galaxies (known formally as NGC 4038/4039) - so named because a pair of long tails of luminous matter, formed by the gravitational tidal forces of their encounter, resemble an insect's antennae. The galaxies are located 45 million light - years away in the southern constellation Corvus. At right, the respective cores of the twin galaxies are the orange blobs, left and right of image

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Spiral Galaxy NGC 2397 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 2397 - The galaxy NGC 2397 is a classic spiral galaxy located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Flying Fish. The central part houses old yellow and red stars while new stars form in the outer arms. This image obtained by the space telescope on 14 October 2006 shows the brightest of these young blue stars. The 2006bc supernova, which exploded in March 2006, is also visible near the central region, while its lightning shrinking. Located nearly 60 million light - years away from Earth, the galaxy NGC 2397 is typical of most spirals, with mostly older, yellow and red stars in its central portion, while star formation continues in the outer, bluer spiral arms. The brightest of these young, blue stars can be seen individually in this high resolution view from the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). One typical feature of this Hubble image is the view of supernova SN 2006bc taken when its brightnes

Spiral Galaxy NGC 2397 - Galaxy Spiral NGC 2397 - The galaxy NGC 2397 is a classic spiral galaxy located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Flying Fish. The central part houses old yellow and red stars while new stars form in the outer arms. This image obtained by the space telescope on 14 October 2006 shows the brightest of these young blue stars. The 2006bc supernova, which exploded in March 2006, is also visible near the central region, while its lightning shrinking. Located nearly 60 million light - years away from Earth, the galaxy NGC 2397 is typical of most spirals, with mostly older, yellow and red stars in its central portion, while star formation continues in the outer, bluer spiral arms. The brightest of these young, blue stars can be seen individually in this high resolution view from the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). One typical feature of this Hubble image is the view of supernova SN 2006bc taken when its brightnes

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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

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Star Formation in the Southern Cross - Star Formation in the Southern Cross - Part of the lactee route in the constellation of the Southern Cross seen in infrared by the Herschel space telescope. The hottest dust appears in blue, the coldest ones appear in red, the new stars will be born. Composite images obtained by SPIRE and PACS instruments on September 3, 2009. Some of the coldest and darkest dust in space shines brightly in this infrared image from the Herschel Observatory, a European Space Agency mission with important participation from NASA. The image is a composite of light captured simultaneously by two of Herschel's three instruments - - the photodetector array camera and spectrometer, and its spectral and photometric imaging receiver. The image reveals a cold and turbulent region where material is just beginning to condense into new stars. It is located in the plane of our Milky Way galaxy, 60 degrees from the center. Blue shows warmer material, red the coolest. The red fil

Star Formation in the Southern Cross - Star Formation in the Southern Cross - Part of the lactee route in the constellation of the Southern Cross seen in infrared by the Herschel space telescope. The hottest dust appears in blue, the coldest ones appear in red, the new stars will be born. Composite images obtained by SPIRE and PACS instruments on September 3, 2009. Some of the coldest and darkest dust in space shines brightly in this infrared image from the Herschel Observatory, a European Space Agency mission with important participation from NASA. The image is a composite of light captured simultaneously by two of Herschel's three instruments - - the photodetector array camera and spectrometer, and its spectral and photometric imaging receiver. The image reveals a cold and turbulent region where material is just beginning to condense into new stars. It is located in the plane of our Milky Way galaxy, 60 degrees from the center. Blue shows warmer material, red the coolest. The red fil

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Globular cluster M71 in the Fleche - Globular cluster M71 in Sagitta - M71 is located about 12,000 light years away from Earth. Image of the central region of the cluster obtained by the Hubble space telescope. This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a bright scattering of stars in the small constellation of Sagitta (the Arrow). This is the centre of the globular cluster Messier 71, a great ball of ancient stars on the edge of our galaxy around 13,000 light - years from Earth. M71 is around 27 light - years across. Globular clusters are like galactic suburbs, pockets of stars that exist on the edge of major galaxies. These clusters are tightly bound together by their gravitational attraction, hence their spherical shape and their name: globulus means little sphere”” in Latin. Around 150 such globular clusters are known to exist around our Milky Way, each one of them containing several hundred thousand stars. Despite being a familiar object, Messier 71's precise nature was disp

Globular cluster M71 in the Fleche - Globular cluster M71 in Sagitta - M71 is located about 12,000 light years away from Earth. Image of the central region of the cluster obtained by the Hubble space telescope. This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a bright scattering of stars in the small constellation of Sagitta (the Arrow). This is the centre of the globular cluster Messier 71, a great ball of ancient stars on the edge of our galaxy around 13,000 light - years from Earth. M71 is around 27 light - years across. Globular clusters are like galactic suburbs, pockets of stars that exist on the edge of major galaxies. These clusters are tightly bound together by their gravitational attraction, hence their spherical shape and their name: globulus means little sphere”” in Latin. Around 150 such globular clusters are known to exist around our Milky Way, each one of them containing several hundred thousand stars. Despite being a familiar object, Messier 71's precise nature was disp

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Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1300 in Eridan - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300 in Eridanus - The galaxy NGC1300 is located about 60 million years ago - light and extends over about 85 000 years - light. This image was obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in September 2004. NGC 1300 is considered to be prototypical of barred spiral galaxies. Barred spirals differ from normal spiral galaxies in that the arms of the galaxy do not spiral all the way into the center, but are connected to the two ends of a straight bar of stars containing the nucleus at its center. At Hubble's resolution, a myriad of fine details, some of which have never before been seen, is seen throughout the galaxy's arms, disk, bulge, and nucleus. Blue and red supergiant stars, star clusters, and star - forming regions are well resolved across the spiral arms, and dust lanes trace out fine structures in the disk and bar. Numerous more distant galaxies are visible in the background, and are seen even through the densest regio

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1300 in Eridan - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300 in Eridanus - The galaxy NGC1300 is located about 60 million years ago - light and extends over about 85 000 years - light. This image was obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in September 2004. NGC 1300 is considered to be prototypical of barred spiral galaxies. Barred spirals differ from normal spiral galaxies in that the arms of the galaxy do not spiral all the way into the center, but are connected to the two ends of a straight bar of stars containing the nucleus at its center. At Hubble's resolution, a myriad of fine details, some of which have never before been seen, is seen throughout the galaxy's arms, disk, bulge, and nucleus. Blue and red supergiant stars, star clusters, and star - forming regions are well resolved across the spiral arms, and dust lanes trace out fine structures in the disk and bar. Numerous more distant galaxies are visible in the background, and are seen even through the densest regio

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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 M101 in the Great Bear - Large field - Wide field view of the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) - The galaxy M101 (NGC 5457) is located about 27 million years away - light from Earth. It spans more than 170,000 light years, almost double the size of our galaxy. We think that of the trillion stars in it, 100 billion stars could be similar to our Sun. In this image, other galaxies are visible: NGC 5474 (below M101), NGC 5473 (just above M101), NGC 5485 (upper left), NGC 5422 (upper center) and UGC 8837 (near star 86 uA, lower left). Image obtained by the Oschin telescope of Mount Palomar through several filters and composed. Catalogued as M101, the Pinwheel is a nice face - on spiral galaxy. It lies in the northern circumpolar constellation Ursa Major (The Big Bear), at a distance of about 25 million light - years from Earth. The bright blue star at right is 86 Uma, barely visible at the naked eye from a dark site. Also visible some other nice galaxies like NGC 5474 (below under M101)

Spiral galaxy M101 in the Great Bear - Large field - Wide field view of the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) - The galaxy M101 (NGC 5457) is located about 27 million years away - light from Earth. It spans more than 170,000 light years, almost double the size of our galaxy. We think that of the trillion stars in it, 100 billion stars could be similar to our Sun. In this image, other galaxies are visible: NGC 5474 (below M101), NGC 5473 (just above M101), NGC 5485 (upper left), NGC 5422 (upper center) and UGC 8837 (near star 86 uA, lower left). Image obtained by the Oschin telescope of Mount Palomar through several filters and composed. Catalogued as M101, the Pinwheel is a nice face - on spiral galaxy. It lies in the northern circumpolar constellation Ursa Major (The Big Bear), at a distance of about 25 million light - years from Earth. The bright blue star at right is 86 Uma, barely visible at the naked eye from a dark site. Also visible some other nice galaxies like NGC 5474 (below under M101)

D. De Martin

PIX4612725

The Temples of Angkor, Angkor, Cambodia (photo)

The Temples of Angkor, Angkor, Cambodia (photo)

Sergi Reboredo

SRB1202743

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