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Halley Comete - The tails of Comet Halley on March 9, 1986 - Halley Comete March 9, 1986

Halley Comete - The tails of Comet Halley on March 9, 1986 - Halley Comete March 9, 1986

PIX4570014

Galaxy NGC 5101 in Hydra - Galaxy NGC 5101 in Hydr

Galaxy NGC 5101 in Hydra - Galaxy NGC 5101 in Hydr

PIX4612187

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

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

PIX4623906

Comete Hyakutake - Comet Hyakutake - View on March 18, 1996

Comete Hyakutake - Comet Hyakutake - View on March 18, 1996

PIX4570118

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

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

PIX4623916

Comete of Halley - Halley's comet - View on April 10, 1986

Comete of Halley - Halley's comet - View on April 10, 1986

PIX4569954

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

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

PIX4622995

Star Field in Puppis - Image obtained by Siding Sprin's 3.9m telescope

Star Field in Puppis - Image obtained by Siding Sprin's 3.9m telescope

PIX4572359

Planetary nebula NGC 5189 in the Fly - NGC 5189, a weird planetary nebula - This nebula is located about 3000 years from Earth in the southern constellation of Fly. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring The peculiarity of NGC 5189 lies in its astonishingly complex structure, first noted by Sir John Herschel, who discovered it in 1835. Seen through the telescope it seems to have an 'S' shape, reminiscent of a barred spiral galaxy, hence its popular name. This is seen in the colour photograph as the central greenish part. Deep photographs such as this show many filaments, rather more reminiscent of the Crab nebula, a supernova remnant, than a planetary nebula. Unlike the Crab nebula, NGC 5189 is remarkably symmetrical. Distances to planetary nebulae are notoriously difficult to measure, but this one is estimated to be about 3000 light years away

Planetary nebula NGC 5189 in the Fly - NGC 5189, a weird planetary nebula - This nebula is located about 3000 years from Earth in the southern constellation of Fly. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring The peculiarity of NGC 5189 lies in its astonishingly complex structure, first noted by Sir John Herschel, who discovered it in 1835. Seen through the telescope it seems to have an 'S' shape, reminiscent of a barred spiral galaxy, hence its popular name. This is seen in the colour photograph as the central greenish part. Deep photographs such as this show many filaments, rather more reminiscent of the Crab nebula, a supernova remnant, than a planetary nebula. Unlike the Crab nebula, NGC 5189 is remarkably symmetrical. Distances to planetary nebulae are notoriously difficult to measure, but this one is estimated to be about 3000 light years away

PIX4623110

AAM, AAN, AAO, GHI, AAP, AAQ, AAR (chromolitho)

AAM, AAN, AAO, GHI, AAP, AAQ, AAR (chromolitho)

English School, (20th century)

LLR984337

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Spiral Galaxy M66 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy M66 in Leo - M 66 (NGC 3627) is a spiral galaxy located at a distance of about 35 million years - light. M66, with its neighbors M65 and NGC 3628, forms a remarkable triplet of galaxies, called the Lion Triplet or the M66 Group. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. M66 is a dusty spiral galaxy, and is a member of the same compact group of galaxies as M65 and NGC 3628. The striking symmetry of M65 is lacking, and the central bulge, though large, is less well defined. The spiral arms are very easy to see, but seem distorted and displaced above the plane of the galaxy, probably a result of interactions with its neighbours. Much more dust is visible here as well as a few pink nebulae, signs of star formation, near the end of one of the arms

Spiral Galaxy M66 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy M66 in Leo - M 66 (NGC 3627) is a spiral galaxy located at a distance of about 35 million years - light. M66, with its neighbors M65 and NGC 3628, forms a remarkable triplet of galaxies, called the Lion Triplet or the M66 Group. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. M66 is a dusty spiral galaxy, and is a member of the same compact group of galaxies as M65 and NGC 3628. The striking symmetry of M65 is lacking, and the central bulge, though large, is less well defined. The spiral arms are very easy to see, but seem distorted and displaced above the plane of the galaxy, probably a result of interactions with its neighbours. Much more dust is visible here as well as a few pink nebulae, signs of star formation, near the end of one of the arms

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Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. The greenish middle portion is evidence of excited oxygen atoms, while the outer red is predominantly light from nitrogen and hydrogen. The smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance) and they give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. The greenish middle portion is evidence of excited oxygen atoms, while the outer red is predominantly light from nitrogen and hydrogen. The smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance) and they give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

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Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. The greenish middle portion is evidence of excited oxygen atoms, while the outer red is predominantly light from nitrogen and hydrogen. The smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance) and they give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. The greenish middle portion is evidence of excited oxygen atoms, while the outer red is predominantly light from nitrogen and hydrogen. The smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance) and they give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

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Globular cluster NGC 6723 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster NGC 6723 in Sagittarius - This cluster of stars is located about 30,000 years ago - light from Earth

Globular cluster NGC 6723 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster NGC 6723 in Sagittarius - This cluster of stars is located about 30,000 years ago - light from Earth

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Halley Comete - Halley's Comet on December 9, 1985 - Halley Comete December 9, 1985

Halley Comete - Halley's Comet on December 9, 1985 - Halley Comete December 9, 1985

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

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

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

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

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Globular cluster M4 in Scorpio - Globular cluster M4 in Scorpius - M4 is a globular cluster located about 7,000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Scorpio. M14 is a globular cluster at about 7,000 light - years away and appearing in the constellation Scorpius

Globular cluster M4 in Scorpio - Globular cluster M4 in Scorpius - M4 is a globular cluster located about 7,000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Scorpio. M14 is a globular cluster at about 7,000 light - years away and appearing in the constellation Scorpius

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

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

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Planetary nebula NGC 1360 in the Furnace - NGC 1360, the diffuse planetary nebula in Fornax - Image obtained by Siding Spring Planetary nebulae 3.9m telescope usually have well - defined boundaries, sometimes even a shell - like structure. For reasons that are not understood, NGC 1360 defies all these conventions, yet its colour still clearly identifies it as a planetary nebula. The green hue is oxygen, excited by the hot central star, and to the north - east of the nebula is a faint red smudge, probably traces of material ejected before the star became a true planetary nebula

Planetary nebula NGC 1360 in the Furnace - NGC 1360, the diffuse planetary nebula in Fornax - Image obtained by Siding Spring Planetary nebulae 3.9m telescope usually have well - defined boundaries, sometimes even a shell - like structure. For reasons that are not understood, NGC 1360 defies all these conventions, yet its colour still clearly identifies it as a planetary nebula. The green hue is oxygen, excited by the hot central star, and to the north - east of the nebula is a faint red smudge, probably traces of material ejected before the star became a true planetary nebula

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Planetary nebula NGC 6781 - A planetary nebula, NGC 6781 - This fairly inconspicuous planetary nebula is in Aquila and it marks the end of the long life of a sun - like star. Despite the longevity of their parent stars and the very brief lifetime of the nebula (typically less than 100,000 years) such sights are common because sun - like stars are common. The nebula has nothing to do with planet formation, indeed the formation of the nebula would effectively destroy any planets the parent star had, rather the name refers to the telescopic appearance of the nebula. Some planetaries are very bright and their discs look like solar system planets. A close look at this picture shows some structure in the expanding shell of gas around the star, reminiscent of the much more complex Helix nebula. The nebula we see is the ejected surface of the star expanding into material left from an earlier stage in its decline, when it briefly expanded as a 'red giant'. Irregularities in the earlier ejecta,

Planetary nebula NGC 6781 - A planetary nebula, NGC 6781 - This fairly inconspicuous planetary nebula is in Aquila and it marks the end of the long life of a sun - like star. Despite the longevity of their parent stars and the very brief lifetime of the nebula (typically less than 100,000 years) such sights are common because sun - like stars are common. The nebula has nothing to do with planet formation, indeed the formation of the nebula would effectively destroy any planets the parent star had, rather the name refers to the telescopic appearance of the nebula. Some planetaries are very bright and their discs look like solar system planets. A close look at this picture shows some structure in the expanding shell of gas around the star, reminiscent of the much more complex Helix nebula. The nebula we see is the ejected surface of the star expanding into material left from an earlier stage in its decline, when it briefly expanded as a 'red giant'. Irregularities in the earlier ejecta,

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

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

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Halley Comete - Halley's Comet, March 12 1986 - Halley Comet, March 12, 1986

Halley Comete - Halley's Comet, March 12 1986 - Halley Comet, March 12, 1986

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Spiral galaxy of Sombrero M104 in the Virgin - The Sombrero galaxy (M104) in Virgo - Image of the spiral galaxy M104 (Sombrero galaxy), located about 28 million years ago - light. Image obtained with the 3.9m Anglo - Australian Telescope from Siding Spring. The Sombrero, named after the broad - brimmed Mexican hat it superficially resembles, is probably the most famous galaxy in the sky. The light from this remarkable spiral system is dominated by the billions of old, faint stars that form the vast 'bulge' around its tiny hidden nucleus. Most spirals, including the Milky Way, have clouds of old, faint stars around their nuclei, but in M104 the galaxy's light is dominated by them. This effect is enhanced because disk of the galaxy is seen nearly edge - on and dust in its outer parts is in silhouette as it crosses the picture. The galaxy is about 28 million light years distant

Spiral galaxy of Sombrero M104 in the Virgin - The Sombrero galaxy (M104) in Virgo - Image of the spiral galaxy M104 (Sombrero galaxy), located about 28 million years ago - light. Image obtained with the 3.9m Anglo - Australian Telescope from Siding Spring. The Sombrero, named after the broad - brimmed Mexican hat it superficially resembles, is probably the most famous galaxy in the sky. The light from this remarkable spiral system is dominated by the billions of old, faint stars that form the vast 'bulge' around its tiny hidden nucleus. Most spirals, including the Milky Way, have clouds of old, faint stars around their nuclei, but in M104 the galaxy's light is dominated by them. This effect is enhanced because disk of the galaxy is seen nearly edge - on and dust in its outer parts is in silhouette as it crosses the picture. The galaxy is about 28 million light years distant

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

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

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

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

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Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. This picture was made without unsharp masking. Unsharp masking emphasises the smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell, which are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance). These radial streaks give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. This picture was made without unsharp masking. Unsharp masking emphasises the smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell, which are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance). These radial streaks give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

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Planetary Nebula of the Red Rectangle in the Unicorn - The Red Rectangle, AFGL 915 - This planetary nebula is located about 2300 years ago - light. Image from Siding Spring 3.9m Telescope This surprising object is one of an unusual class of nebulae surrounding mature, sun - like stars that are about to turn into planetary nebulae. Not all pre - planetary nebulae have outbursts like this, and in those that do, the nebula lasts only a few thousand years, hence the rarity. The central star has a thick belt of dust like a girdle around its equator which restricts outflow in that direction. Instead, the star ejects material in a kind of cone from each of its poles. The spectrum of the nebula shows unusual, strong red lines from hydrogen bonded to grains of carbon, however there is sufficient light reflected from the embedded star to dilute the strong red spectrum to the deep yellow we see here

Planetary Nebula of the Red Rectangle in the Unicorn - The Red Rectangle, AFGL 915 - This planetary nebula is located about 2300 years ago - light. Image from Siding Spring 3.9m Telescope This surprising object is one of an unusual class of nebulae surrounding mature, sun - like stars that are about to turn into planetary nebulae. Not all pre - planetary nebulae have outbursts like this, and in those that do, the nebula lasts only a few thousand years, hence the rarity. The central star has a thick belt of dust like a girdle around its equator which restricts outflow in that direction. Instead, the star ejects material in a kind of cone from each of its poles. The spectrum of the nebula shows unusual, strong red lines from hydrogen bonded to grains of carbon, however there is sufficient light reflected from the embedded star to dilute the strong red spectrum to the deep yellow we see here

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Globular cluster NGC 3201 in Veles - Globular cluster NGC 3201 in Vela - This cluster of stars is located about 15,000 years ago - light from Earth

Globular cluster NGC 3201 in Veles - Globular cluster NGC 3201 in Vela - This cluster of stars is located about 15,000 years ago - light from Earth

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

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

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Spiral galaxy of Sombrero M104 in the Virgin - The Sombrero galaxy (M104) in Virgo - Image of the spiral galaxy M104 (Sombrero galaxy), located about 28 million years ago - light. Image obtained with the 3.9m Anglo - Australian Telescope from Siding Spring. The Sombrero, named after the broad - brimmed Mexican hat it superficially resembles, is probably the most famous galaxy in the sky. The light from this remarkable spiral system is dominated by the billions of old, faint stars that form the vast 'bulge' around its tiny hidden nucleus. Most spirals, including the Milky Way, have clouds of old, faint stars around their nuclei, but in M104 the galaxy's light is dominated by them. This effect is enhanced because disk of the galaxy is seen nearly edge - on and dust in its outer parts is in silhouette as it crosses the picture. The galaxy is about 28 million light years distant

Spiral galaxy of Sombrero M104 in the Virgin - The Sombrero galaxy (M104) in Virgo - Image of the spiral galaxy M104 (Sombrero galaxy), located about 28 million years ago - light. Image obtained with the 3.9m Anglo - Australian Telescope from Siding Spring. The Sombrero, named after the broad - brimmed Mexican hat it superficially resembles, is probably the most famous galaxy in the sky. The light from this remarkable spiral system is dominated by the billions of old, faint stars that form the vast 'bulge' around its tiny hidden nucleus. Most spirals, including the Milky Way, have clouds of old, faint stars around their nuclei, but in M104 the galaxy's light is dominated by them. This effect is enhanced because disk of the galaxy is seen nearly edge - on and dust in its outer parts is in silhouette as it crosses the picture. The galaxy is about 28 million light years distant

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

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

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Spiral galaxy NGC 908 in the Whale - Spiral galaxy NGC 908 in Cetus - NGC 908 is about 65 million years away - light from Earth. This galaxy undergoes a star-forming flames; clusters of young and massive stars are visible in the spiral arms. It is 75,000 years long - light years long and its shape suggests that it is subject to the gravitational influence of another galaxy yet unidentified. NGC 908 is a starburst galaxy, one that is undergoing a period of intense star formation. This is why it has numerous clumps of bright stars in its spiral arms and appears so bright on this photograph. It is also asymmetrical, with a peculiar split in the spiral arm on the left (eastern) side of the galaxy. Both these characteristics usually mean the galaxy has been disturbed by some massive intruder, usually another galaxy, but none is evident on the photograph or in the wider field around NGC 908

Spiral galaxy NGC 908 in the Whale - Spiral galaxy NGC 908 in Cetus - NGC 908 is about 65 million years away - light from Earth. This galaxy undergoes a star-forming flames; clusters of young and massive stars are visible in the spiral arms. It is 75,000 years long - light years long and its shape suggests that it is subject to the gravitational influence of another galaxy yet unidentified. NGC 908 is a starburst galaxy, one that is undergoing a period of intense star formation. This is why it has numerous clumps of bright stars in its spiral arms and appears so bright on this photograph. It is also asymmetrical, with a peculiar split in the spiral arm on the left (eastern) side of the galaxy. Both these characteristics usually mean the galaxy has been disturbed by some massive intruder, usually another galaxy, but none is evident on the photograph or in the wider field around NGC 908

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Planetary nebula NGC 2346 in Unicorn - The planetary nebula NGC 2346 - This nebula is located about 2000 years - light from Earth. A binary star resides in its center. Image obtained by the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring NGC 2346 is a fine bipolar planetary nebula which is on the celestial equator in the constellation of Monoceros. It is bright and conspicuous and has been extensively studied. Among its most remarkable characteristics is its unusually cool central star, which is a 'spectroscopic binary'. The two components are identified by the effect of their movement around each other on the lines of their spectrum. The double star, which has a period of about 16 days, is also variable, probably due to dust in orbit around it. The dust itself is heated by the central star and so NGC 2346 is unusually bright in the infrared part of the spectrum

Planetary nebula NGC 2346 in Unicorn - The planetary nebula NGC 2346 - This nebula is located about 2000 years - light from Earth. A binary star resides in its center. Image obtained by the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring NGC 2346 is a fine bipolar planetary nebula which is on the celestial equator in the constellation of Monoceros. It is bright and conspicuous and has been extensively studied. Among its most remarkable characteristics is its unusually cool central star, which is a 'spectroscopic binary'. The two components are identified by the effect of their movement around each other on the lines of their spectrum. The double star, which has a period of about 16 days, is also variable, probably due to dust in orbit around it. The dust itself is heated by the central star and so NGC 2346 is unusually bright in the infrared part of the spectrum

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Spiral galaxy M65 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy M65 in Leo - M65 (NGC 3623), and its neighbors M66 and NGC 3628, form a triplet of galaxies, called the Lion Triplet or the Group of M66, located at a distance of about 35 million years - light. M65 is a spiral galaxy of type Sa. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring M65 is a spiral galaxy of type Sa in the constellation Leo. At a distance of about 35 million light - years, M65 apparently forms a triplet with its neighbors M66 and NGC 3628. Image obtained with the 3,9m telescope of Siding Spring

Spiral galaxy M65 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy M65 in Leo - M65 (NGC 3623), and its neighbors M66 and NGC 3628, form a triplet of galaxies, called the Lion Triplet or the Group of M66, located at a distance of about 35 million years - light. M65 is a spiral galaxy of type Sa. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring M65 is a spiral galaxy of type Sa in the constellation Leo. At a distance of about 35 million light - years, M65 apparently forms a triplet with its neighbors M66 and NGC 3628. Image obtained with the 3,9m telescope of Siding Spring

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Barree spiral galaxy M95 in the Lion - Barred spiral galaxy M95 in Leo - M95 (NGC 3351), is a barree spiral of type SBB. It belongs to the Leo I galaxy group, also known as the M96 group. It also contains M96, M105 and a number of weaker galaxies. This galaxy is located about 38 million light years away from Earth. The SBB barred spiral galaxy M95, is a member of the Leo I galaxy grouping, which includes M96 and M105 as well as various other galaxies, all at a distance of about 37 million light - years

Barree spiral galaxy M95 in the Lion - Barred spiral galaxy M95 in Leo - M95 (NGC 3351), is a barree spiral of type SBB. It belongs to the Leo I galaxy group, also known as the M96 group. It also contains M96, M105 and a number of weaker galaxies. This galaxy is located about 38 million light years away from Earth. The SBB barred spiral galaxy M95, is a member of the Leo I galaxy grouping, which includes M96 and M105 as well as various other galaxies, all at a distance of about 37 million light - years

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Remnants of the Supernova of Sails - The Vela Supernova Remnant - Remnant of the Supernova of Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago and is approximately 815 light years away from Earth. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. About 120 centuries ago an inconspicuous star in what is now the constellation of Vela brightened by about 100 million times to rival the Moon as the brightest object in the night sky. This photograph shows a portion of the north - western quadrant of an expanding nebulous shell, which now surrounds the site of the explosion. Near the centre of the nebula (and not seen here) is the Vela pulsar, a rapidly - spinning neutron star only a few kilometres in diameter, the remnant of the star that exploded. This tiny object spins about 11 times a second and until recently was among the faintest stars ever studied at optical wavelengths, a far cry from its brief glory as one of the brightest stars ever seen

Remnants of the Supernova of Sails - The Vela Supernova Remnant - Remnant of the Supernova of Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago and is approximately 815 light years away from Earth. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. About 120 centuries ago an inconspicuous star in what is now the constellation of Vela brightened by about 100 million times to rival the Moon as the brightest object in the night sky. This photograph shows a portion of the north - western quadrant of an expanding nebulous shell, which now surrounds the site of the explosion. Near the centre of the nebula (and not seen here) is the Vela pulsar, a rapidly - spinning neutron star only a few kilometres in diameter, the remnant of the star that exploded. This tiny object spins about 11 times a second and until recently was among the faintest stars ever studied at optical wavelengths, a far cry from its brief glory as one of the brightest stars ever seen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Barree spiral galaxy NGC 2442 in Flying Fish - NGC 2442, a barred spiral galaxy in Volans - NGC 2442 is a barree spiral galaxy located about 50 million years ago - light. Its asymmetrical shape suggests that a galaxy interacts with it. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This unusual barred spiral galaxy is in the far southern constellation of Volans and was discovered by Sir John Herschel who described one of its spiral arms as hook - like. Although not seen here, (but evident on very deep images) NGC 2442 appears to have a less massive, distant companion that is also distorted, and it seems likely that the two have had a close encounter in the recent past. If there are no further meetings, the forces that hold NGC 2442 together will restore galaxy to a more symmetrical spiral form. However, much more likely is that the companion has been captured by the distorted spiral and will eventually be devoured by it, triggering a dramatic bout of star formation. NGC 2442 is about

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 2442 in Flying Fish - NGC 2442, a barred spiral galaxy in Volans - NGC 2442 is a barree spiral galaxy located about 50 million years ago - light. Its asymmetrical shape suggests that a galaxy interacts with it. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This unusual barred spiral galaxy is in the far southern constellation of Volans and was discovered by Sir John Herschel who described one of its spiral arms as hook - like. Although not seen here, (but evident on very deep images) NGC 2442 appears to have a less massive, distant companion that is also distorted, and it seems likely that the two have had a close encounter in the recent past. If there are no further meetings, the forces that hold NGC 2442 together will restore galaxy to a more symmetrical spiral form. However, much more likely is that the companion has been captured by the distorted spiral and will eventually be devoured by it, triggering a dramatic bout of star formation. NGC 2442 is about

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Spiral Galaxy NGC 3628 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy NGC 3628 in Leo - NGC 3628 is a spiral galaxy seen by the slice located at a distance of about 35 million years - light. With its neighbors M65 and M66, it forms a remarkable triplet of galaxies, called the Lion Triplet or the M66 Group. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This picture has been specially enhanced to reveal NGC 3628, which is seen as an edge - on spiral galaxy, crossed by a dust lane. Galaxies seen edge - on are rare, but this example has other peculiarities. The dust lane is distinctly askew and the ends of the spiral arms are obviously puffed out, with evidence of star formation. The bright bulge of the galaxy also has an unusual 'peanut' shape. This suggests that the galaxies of the Leo group are interacting, gradually pulling each other apart as they orbit each other. Image obtained with the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring

Spiral Galaxy NGC 3628 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy NGC 3628 in Leo - NGC 3628 is a spiral galaxy seen by the slice located at a distance of about 35 million years - light. With its neighbors M65 and M66, it forms a remarkable triplet of galaxies, called the Lion Triplet or the M66 Group. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This picture has been specially enhanced to reveal NGC 3628, which is seen as an edge - on spiral galaxy, crossed by a dust lane. Galaxies seen edge - on are rare, but this example has other peculiarities. The dust lane is distinctly askew and the ends of the spiral arms are obviously puffed out, with evidence of star formation. The bright bulge of the galaxy also has an unusual 'peanut' shape. This suggests that the galaxies of the Leo group are interacting, gradually pulling each other apart as they orbit each other. Image obtained with the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring

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Globular cluster NGC 6522 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster NGC 6522 in Sagittarius - This cluster of stars is located about 25,000 years - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

Globular cluster NGC 6522 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster NGC 6522 in Sagittarius - This cluster of stars is located about 25,000 years - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

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Stars Field in the Peacock - Random star field in Pavo, near NGC 6477 - Towards the middle of the picture, the cluster of galaxies IC 4765. Image obtained by Schmidt UK 1.2m Telescope from Siding Spring The brightest star visible here is the magnitude 4.2 variable blue star lambda Pav, visible to the unaided eye in a dark sky, while the scattering of stars in the lower part of the picture are about a magnitude fainter and would be hard to see in all but the darkest conditions. Near middle of the image, the cluster of galaxies IC 4765

Stars Field in the Peacock - Random star field in Pavo, near NGC 6477 - Towards the middle of the picture, the cluster of galaxies IC 4765. Image obtained by Schmidt UK 1.2m Telescope from Siding Spring The brightest star visible here is the magnitude 4.2 variable blue star lambda Pav, visible to the unaided eye in a dark sky, while the scattering of stars in the lower part of the picture are about a magnitude fainter and would be hard to see in all but the darkest conditions. Near middle of the image, the cluster of galaxies IC 4765

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Spiral galaxy NGC 1055 in the Whale - Spiral galaxy NGC 1055 in Cetus - NGC 1055 is about 40 million years away - light from Earth. It appears to belong to the small group of M77 galaxies in the Whale. NGC 1055 is a striking disk galaxy seen almost edge - on a distance of about 40 million light years. It seems to be a member of the small NGC 1068 (M77) group of galaxies in the southern constellation of Cetus

Spiral galaxy NGC 1055 in the Whale - Spiral galaxy NGC 1055 in Cetus - NGC 1055 is about 40 million years away - light from Earth. It appears to belong to the small group of M77 galaxies in the Whale. NGC 1055 is a striking disk galaxy seen almost edge - on a distance of about 40 million light years. It seems to be a member of the small NGC 1068 (M77) group of galaxies in the southern constellation of Cetus

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Open cluster Trumpler 5 in Unicorn - Open cluster Trumpler 5 in Monoceros - Trumpler 5 is a cluster of stars aged 125 million years. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope As they age, open clusters of stars begin to lose their identity. This is partly because the brighter members tend to self - destruct as supernovae, and, though the group members share a common motion through space, they are only loosely bound. Thus stars drift away from the cluster in a process that accelerates with time. However, some clusters are big enough to retain their identity much longer than usual, and Trumpler 5 is one such. Its age is estimated to be 125 million years, and it must have been a spectacular sight in its youth. It seems to be at the edge of the Monoceros molecular cloud, where star formation is continuing new generations of young clusters

Open cluster Trumpler 5 in Unicorn - Open cluster Trumpler 5 in Monoceros - Trumpler 5 is a cluster of stars aged 125 million years. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope As they age, open clusters of stars begin to lose their identity. This is partly because the brighter members tend to self - destruct as supernovae, and, though the group members share a common motion through space, they are only loosely bound. Thus stars drift away from the cluster in a process that accelerates with time. However, some clusters are big enough to retain their identity much longer than usual, and Trumpler 5 is one such. Its age is estimated to be 125 million years, and it must have been a spectacular sight in its youth. It seems to be at the edge of the Monoceros molecular cloud, where star formation is continuing new generations of young clusters

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Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon

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Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon

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Circumpolar - South Hemisphere - South celestial pole star trails - Photographic pose of several hours around the south celeste pole. As the earth spins beneath the stars they appear to move across the sky from east to west. However, if one looks in the direction of the celestial poles, the stars appear to circle a single point on the sky. This is the position of the earth's axis of rotation projected into space. This picture was made from Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, so the pivotal point is 30 degrees above the northern horizon, which is the geographical latitude of Siding Spring. In the northern sky there is a bright star very close to the celestial pole. By contrast the region of the south celestial pole is barren

Circumpolar - South Hemisphere - South celestial pole star trails - Photographic pose of several hours around the south celeste pole. As the earth spins beneath the stars they appear to move across the sky from east to west. However, if one looks in the direction of the celestial poles, the stars appear to circle a single point on the sky. This is the position of the earth's axis of rotation projected into space. This picture was made from Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, so the pivotal point is 30 degrees above the northern horizon, which is the geographical latitude of Siding Spring. In the northern sky there is a bright star very close to the celestial pole. By contrast the region of the south celestial pole is barren

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

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

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

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

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

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

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