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Nebula of the Lagoon (M8) in Sagittarius - The Lagoon Nebula, M8, NGC 6523 - View of the Nebula of the Lagoon (M8/NGC 6523). Located in Sagittarius, at a distance of 6500 years - light, it extends over a diameter of 60 AL. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The irregular distribution of light in this beautiful part of the sky is due mainly to clouds of dust that dim the light of vast clouds of stars that make Sagittarius one of the brightest parts of the Milky Way. The Lagoon nebula is an illuminated part of such a dark ('molecule') cloud and it reveals the dust as dark lanes and globules silhouetted against the luminous gas. Within the nebula is the scattered young star cluster NGC 6530, recently formed from this material, though the centre of star - forming activity has now shifted westwards from the cluster to the brightest part of the nebula, around the tiny Hourglass Nebula

Nebula of the Lagoon (M8) in Sagittarius - The Lagoon Nebula, M8, NGC 6523 - View of the Nebula of the Lagoon (M8/NGC 6523). Located in Sagittarius, at a distance of 6500 years - light, it extends over a diameter of 60 AL. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The irregular distribution of light in this beautiful part of the sky is due mainly to clouds of dust that dim the light of vast clouds of stars that make Sagittarius one of the brightest parts of the Milky Way. The Lagoon nebula is an illuminated part of such a dark ('molecule') cloud and it reveals the dust as dark lanes and globules silhouetted against the luminous gas. Within the nebula is the scattered young star cluster NGC 6530, recently formed from this material, though the centre of star - forming activity has now shifted westwards from the cluster to the brightest part of the nebula, around the tiny Hourglass Nebula

PIX4619624

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

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

PIX4609570

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million light years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This Giant Galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. The green dot visible in the dust strip is a supernova, the supernova 1986g. It appears green because the red filter image that made this trichromy image was only taken a year after the event and the supernova had weakened. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Centaurus A is a most unusual galaxy. The circular, uniformly bright portion is composed of several thousand million stars, most of them old and yellowish. The galaxy is girded by a dense dust lane which obscures and reddens the light of stars behind it. Some

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million light years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This Giant Galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. The green dot visible in the dust strip is a supernova, the supernova 1986g. It appears green because the red filter image that made this trichromy image was only taken a year after the event and the supernova had weakened. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Centaurus A is a most unusual galaxy. The circular, uniformly bright portion is composed of several thousand million stars, most of them old and yellowish. The galaxy is girded by a dense dust lane which obscures and reddens the light of stars behind it. Some

PIX4612278

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

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

PIX4571773

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clust

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clust

PIX4564306

Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO) - Australia - The Anglo - Australian Observatory (AAO) - AAT dome. At the edge of the spectacular Warrumbungle National Park in northwestern New South Wales stands the Siding Spring Observatory. Of all the telescopes operated on this mountain, the dome of the AAT is the most imposing, rising almost 50 meters from the ground. The lower, cylindrical portion houses offices, darkrooms, small workshops and the many pieces of equipment required for the efficient operation of a large optical telescope and its complex instruments. The upper, rotating hemispherical portion is the dome itself, within which the telescope resides protected from the elements. When the telescope is in use a small opening in the dome is positioned directly in front of it

Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO) - Australia - The Anglo - Australian Observatory (AAO) - AAT dome. At the edge of the spectacular Warrumbungle National Park in northwestern New South Wales stands the Siding Spring Observatory. Of all the telescopes operated on this mountain, the dome of the AAT is the most imposing, rising almost 50 meters from the ground. The lower, cylindrical portion houses offices, darkrooms, small workshops and the many pieces of equipment required for the efficient operation of a large optical telescope and its complex instruments. The upper, rotating hemispherical portion is the dome itself, within which the telescope resides protected from the elements. When the telescope is in use a small opening in the dome is positioned directly in front of it

PIX4656360

Spiral Galaxy NGC 253 in Sculptor - Spiral galaxy NGC 253 in Sculptor - NGC 253 is the brightest galaxy of the Sculptor's group, the closest galaxy group to the Local Group. It is about 10 million light years away. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope in 1975. A mere 10 million light years away, NGC 253 is one of the nearest spiral galaxies, a member of a small group straggling across the southern constellation of Sculptor. It appears elongated because we see it almost edge - on. This galaxy is also one of the dustiest galaxies known and much of its internal detail is hidden by obscuring matter which can be seen as dark patches against the background stars. Despite the obscuration, two spiral arms and many bluish clusters of stars can be seen around the edge of the galaxy. NGC 253 is so close to us that some of the brightest stars are apparent as individuals within the spiral arms

Spiral Galaxy NGC 253 in Sculptor - Spiral galaxy NGC 253 in Sculptor - NGC 253 is the brightest galaxy of the Sculptor's group, the closest galaxy group to the Local Group. It is about 10 million light years away. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope in 1975. A mere 10 million light years away, NGC 253 is one of the nearest spiral galaxies, a member of a small group straggling across the southern constellation of Sculptor. It appears elongated because we see it almost edge - on. This galaxy is also one of the dustiest galaxies known and much of its internal detail is hidden by obscuring matter which can be seen as dark patches against the background stars. Despite the obscuration, two spiral arms and many bluish clusters of stars can be seen around the edge of the galaxy. NGC 253 is so close to us that some of the brightest stars are apparent as individuals within the spiral arms

PIX4609065

Circumpolar - South Hemisphere - Star trails around the south celestial pole - 10h30 photographic installation on 400 ISO film around the south celeste pole. Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope dome in the foreground. By pointing a camera towards the south (or to the north in the northern hemisphere) at night, we can record the paths of stars which never set. They appear to circle the apparent position of the Earth's axis of rotation projected on the sky. The elevation of this position above the local horizon indicates our local geographical latitude, about 30 degrees south at Siding Spring. The angle swept out by the arcs is an indication of the exposure time, which was about 10.5 hours on 400 ISO colour film. This kind of exposure is only possible from an extremely dark site

Circumpolar - South Hemisphere - Star trails around the south celestial pole - 10h30 photographic installation on 400 ISO film around the south celeste pole. Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope dome in the foreground. By pointing a camera towards the south (or to the north in the northern hemisphere) at night, we can record the paths of stars which never set. They appear to circle the apparent position of the Earth's axis of rotation projected on the sky. The elevation of this position above the local horizon indicates our local geographical latitude, about 30 degrees south at Siding Spring. The angle swept out by the arcs is an indication of the exposure time, which was about 10.5 hours on 400 ISO colour film. This kind of exposure is only possible from an extremely dark site

PIX4581074

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

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

PIX4571707

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

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

PIX4609643

Spiral galaxy NGC 1313 in the Reticule - The starburst galaxy NGC 1313 - NGC 1313 is a galaxy located about 15 million years ago - light. Intense star formations are observed. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. In visible light, NGC 1313 seems dominated by scattered patches of star formation which give our picture a rather ragged appearance. The clouds of bluish stars seem to have burst into existence at random, without the normal trigger gravitational interaction or even a distinct spiral to prompt them. Star formation seems to have occurred in a series of irregular, self-sustaining bursts. However, a very deep image shows that the outer parts of galaxy are also very disturbed. Seen with a radio telescope, the galaxy is rich in hydrogen, the raw material of stars, and the gas circulates around the centre of the galaxy in a well ordered way, apparently hardly affected by the starburst activity or other irregularities that so colour our visual impression of this unusual gal

Spiral galaxy NGC 1313 in the Reticule - The starburst galaxy NGC 1313 - NGC 1313 is a galaxy located about 15 million years ago - light. Intense star formations are observed. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. In visible light, NGC 1313 seems dominated by scattered patches of star formation which give our picture a rather ragged appearance. The clouds of bluish stars seem to have burst into existence at random, without the normal trigger gravitational interaction or even a distinct spiral to prompt them. Star formation seems to have occurred in a series of irregular, self-sustaining bursts. However, a very deep image shows that the outer parts of galaxy are also very disturbed. Seen with a radio telescope, the galaxy is rich in hydrogen, the raw material of stars, and the gas circulates around the centre of the galaxy in a well ordered way, apparently hardly affected by the starburst activity or other irregularities that so colour our visual impression of this unusual gal

PIX4609776

Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

PIX4568850

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

PIX4564866

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

PIX4565370

Star Trains on the Observatory of Siding Spring - Star trails above Anglo - Australian Observatory - Photographic installation of several hours and dome of Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. As the earth rotates the stars appear to move across the sky, as do the more obvious sun and Moon This effect is easily recorded by leaving a camera outdoors with its shutter open during the night. To make this picture, the camera was pointed to the southwest, towards the dome of the AAT, from the UK Schmidt building on Siding Spring Mountain in New South Wales

Star Trains on the Observatory of Siding Spring - Star trails above Anglo - Australian Observatory - Photographic installation of several hours and dome of Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. As the earth rotates the stars appear to move across the sky, as do the more obvious sun and Moon This effect is easily recorded by leaving a camera outdoors with its shutter open during the night. To make this picture, the camera was pointed to the southwest, towards the dome of the AAT, from the UK Schmidt building on Siding Spring Mountain in New South Wales

PIX4581095

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

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

PIX4618913

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

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

PIX4619235

Hubble Nebula (NGC 2261) in Unicorn - NGC 2261, Hubble's variable nebula - The Hubble Nebula is a weak nebulosite that surrounds the star R Monocerotis (R Mon), the bright star at the bottom of the nebula. The mass of the star R Mon is about 10 times that of the sun. It is approximately 2600 light years away and is only 300,000 years old. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Hubble's variable nebula is in Monoceros and was the first object to be photographed with the famous 200 inch Hale Telescope at Palomar in 1948. This curious object is a reflection nebula in which is embedded the star R Monocerotis. Variations in the appearance of the nebula were noted by the American astronomer Edwin Hubble in 1916. They are probably caused by opaque clouds of dust passing between the hidden star and the outskirts of the nebula we see, the moving shadows changing the apparent form of the glowing dust in an irregular way. This picture was made from three AAT plates taken over several y

Hubble Nebula (NGC 2261) in Unicorn - NGC 2261, Hubble's variable nebula - The Hubble Nebula is a weak nebulosite that surrounds the star R Monocerotis (R Mon), the bright star at the bottom of the nebula. The mass of the star R Mon is about 10 times that of the sun. It is approximately 2600 light years away and is only 300,000 years old. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Hubble's variable nebula is in Monoceros and was the first object to be photographed with the famous 200 inch Hale Telescope at Palomar in 1948. This curious object is a reflection nebula in which is embedded the star R Monocerotis. Variations in the appearance of the nebula were noted by the American astronomer Edwin Hubble in 1916. They are probably caused by opaque clouds of dust passing between the hidden star and the outskirts of the nebula we see, the moving shadows changing the apparent form of the glowing dust in an irregular way. This picture was made from three AAT plates taken over several y

PIX4618577

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

Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20/NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The spectacular Trifid nebula (Messier 20) is one of the best known in the sky. It is a striking mixture of brilliant red light emitted from excited hydrogen gas and the soft blue glow of a reflection nebula. The blue arises from starlight, scattered by dust particles between the stars. The size of the particles is minute, similar to those of smoke, which also has a bluish hue. However, the scattered light is not a pure blue, and if we see it through a medium that is yellow (i.e. absorbs blue light) some green colouration remains. This effect can be seen in some of the darker parts of the faint reflection nebula that surrounds the Trifid, where partial absorption of light by foreground dust provides a yellow 'filte

Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20/NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The spectacular Trifid nebula (Messier 20) is one of the best known in the sky. It is a striking mixture of brilliant red light emitted from excited hydrogen gas and the soft blue glow of a reflection nebula. The blue arises from starlight, scattered by dust particles between the stars. The size of the particles is minute, similar to those of smoke, which also has a bluish hue. However, the scattered light is not a pure blue, and if we see it through a medium that is yellow (i.e. absorbs blue light) some green colouration remains. This effect can be seen in some of the darker parts of the faint reflection nebula that surrounds the Trifid, where partial absorption of light by foreground dust provides a yellow 'filte

PIX4619490

Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20 or NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Trifid nebula is located in Sagittarius constellation between 5000 and 10 000 light - years away. Stars, the Sun included, were born within clouds of dusty gas such as the Trifid Nebula. Within it a number of young hot stars have already formed. The hottest cause the gas, mostly hydrogen, to emit its characteristic red light. Around the red emission nebula the gas contains many dust grains which preferentially reflect the blue component of starlight, and to the north (top) of the nebula can be seen a bright star which illuminates part of the dust to create a region of blue reflection. In some parts of the nebula there are so many dust grains that they hide the glowing gas, producing the three dark lanes which gi

Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20 or NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Trifid nebula is located in Sagittarius constellation between 5000 and 10 000 light - years away. Stars, the Sun included, were born within clouds of dusty gas such as the Trifid Nebula. Within it a number of young hot stars have already formed. The hottest cause the gas, mostly hydrogen, to emit its characteristic red light. Around the red emission nebula the gas contains many dust grains which preferentially reflect the blue component of starlight, and to the north (top) of the nebula can be seen a bright star which illuminates part of the dust to create a region of blue reflection. In some parts of the nebula there are so many dust grains that they hide the glowing gas, producing the three dark lanes which gi

PIX4619538

Nebula IC 2220 in the Carene - A mass - loss star in IC 2220 - This nebula is illuminated by a giant red star, the star HD 65670. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The bright, supergiant star at the centre of this nebula is known only by its catalog designation, HD 65750. The nebulosity around the star is the result of light reflected by dust surrounding it. The dust is thought to consist mainly of particles of silica condensed from material which the star is losing from its distended surface at a fairly steady rate. The rate of mass loss is much higher than in normal stars and is sufficient to produce the reflection nebula IC 2220. The stellar nature of the central object is revealed by the four diffraction spikes extending from it. These are artifacts due to structures within the telescope. The light from the star has also produced the annular halation ring (a photographic artefact) that ornaments the nebula. These features, real or otherwise, have provoked the name '

Nebula IC 2220 in the Carene - A mass - loss star in IC 2220 - This nebula is illuminated by a giant red star, the star HD 65670. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The bright, supergiant star at the centre of this nebula is known only by its catalog designation, HD 65750. The nebulosity around the star is the result of light reflected by dust surrounding it. The dust is thought to consist mainly of particles of silica condensed from material which the star is losing from its distended surface at a fairly steady rate. The rate of mass loss is much higher than in normal stars and is sufficient to produce the reflection nebula IC 2220. The stellar nature of the central object is revealed by the four diffraction spikes extending from it. These are artifacts due to structures within the telescope. The light from the star has also produced the annular halation ring (a photographic artefact) that ornaments the nebula. These features, real or otherwise, have provoked the name '

PIX4622497

Orion Nebula - the trapeze - The Trapezium region in M42 - Located 1500 years - light, Orion Nebula is the closest region of formation of stars of the Sun. In the center of the picture, the Trapeze of Orion. The Trapeze is among the youngest known open clusters, it is made up of 4 massive stars that make the nebula shine. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The central 'star' of the three groups forming the asterism of Orion's sword is in reality a nebula, and is clearly nebulous to the unaided eye. At the heart of the most luminous nebulosity shimmer a handful of stars known as the Trapezium cluster, visible in binoculars. These are the brightest members of a substantial cluster of stars, most of which are still hidden in the dusty recesses of the Orion nebula against which they are seen. The stars of the Trapezium provide much of the energy which makes the brilliant Orion Nebula visible and are at a distance of about 1500 light years. This image was made at the prime

Orion Nebula - the trapeze - The Trapezium region in M42 - Located 1500 years - light, Orion Nebula is the closest region of formation of stars of the Sun. In the center of the picture, the Trapeze of Orion. The Trapeze is among the youngest known open clusters, it is made up of 4 massive stars that make the nebula shine. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The central 'star' of the three groups forming the asterism of Orion's sword is in reality a nebula, and is clearly nebulous to the unaided eye. At the heart of the most luminous nebulosity shimmer a handful of stars known as the Trapezium cluster, visible in binoculars. These are the brightest members of a substantial cluster of stars, most of which are still hidden in the dusty recesses of the Orion nebula against which they are seen. The stars of the Trapezium provide much of the energy which makes the brilliant Orion Nebula visible and are at a distance of about 1500 light years. This image was made at the prime

PIX4617856

Star formation regions 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 better described as 'de

Star formation regions 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 better described as 'de

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

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

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Nebula in the galaxy NGC 6822 - Bubble nebulae in NGC 6822 - Nebula in the irregular galaxy NGC 6822, adjacent to our galaxy. This gas bubble houses massive stars known as Wolf - Rayet. NGC 6822 is a nearby irregular galaxy reminiscent of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Like the LMC it contains many, extremely hot stars of the Wolf - Rayet type, stars which often have intense stellar winds blasting from their surfaces. Small groups of such stars are found at the centres of the bubble nebulae seen here, which are the result of the stellar winds colliding with the more or less stationary interstellar medium in NGC 6822. At the interface of the collision, the interstellar medium glows, producing a thin, luminous bubble. Such bubbles are rare in the more turbulent Milky Way galaxy, but Henize 70 in the Large Magellanic Cloud is similar

Nebula in the galaxy NGC 6822 - Bubble nebulae in NGC 6822 - Nebula in the irregular galaxy NGC 6822, adjacent to our galaxy. This gas bubble houses massive stars known as Wolf - Rayet. NGC 6822 is a nearby irregular galaxy reminiscent of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Like the LMC it contains many, extremely hot stars of the Wolf - Rayet type, stars which often have intense stellar winds blasting from their surfaces. Small groups of such stars are found at the centres of the bubble nebulae seen here, which are the result of the stellar winds colliding with the more or less stationary interstellar medium in NGC 6822. At the interface of the collision, the interstellar medium glows, producing a thin, luminous bubble. Such bubbles are rare in the more turbulent Milky Way galaxy, but Henize 70 in the Large Magellanic Cloud is similar

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Nebulae IC 1283 - 84 and NGC 6589 - 90 in Sagittarius - Nebulosity in Sagittarius, NGC 6589 - 90 - These nebulae are located in Sagittarius at a distance of about 5900 light years from Earth. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Our view towards the centre of the Galaxy is obscured by extensive clouds of interstellar dust in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius. The large - scale, patchy nature of the obscuration can be seen with the unaided eye and it is evident on smaller scales from the uneven distribution of background stars across this picture. Light from bright stars within the dust produces the two blue reflection nebulae (NGC 6589 and 6590), and these stars are members of a loose open cluster of stars, NGC 6595 (Sharpless 37) which is at a distance of about 5,900 light years. A large, almost transparent cloud of hydrogen, mixed with traces of dust, glows with a characteristic magenta hue over most of the field of view. This is known as IC 1283, 1284 and

Nebulae IC 1283 - 84 and NGC 6589 - 90 in Sagittarius - Nebulosity in Sagittarius, NGC 6589 - 90 - These nebulae are located in Sagittarius at a distance of about 5900 light years from Earth. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Our view towards the centre of the Galaxy is obscured by extensive clouds of interstellar dust in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius. The large - scale, patchy nature of the obscuration can be seen with the unaided eye and it is evident on smaller scales from the uneven distribution of background stars across this picture. Light from bright stars within the dust produces the two blue reflection nebulae (NGC 6589 and 6590), and these stars are members of a loose open cluster of stars, NGC 6595 (Sharpless 37) which is at a distance of about 5,900 light years. A large, almost transparent cloud of hydrogen, mixed with traces of dust, glows with a characteristic magenta hue over most of the field of view. This is known as IC 1283, 1284 and

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Globular cluster Hodge 11 - Globular cluster Hodge 11 - This cluster of stars is located about 160,000 years ago - light in the Big Magellan Cloud

Globular cluster Hodge 11 - Globular cluster Hodge 11 - This cluster of stars is located about 160,000 years ago - light in the Big Magellan Cloud

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Orion Nebula (M42 - 43) - The Orion Nebula, M42 and M43 - Located 1500 years - light, the Orion Nebula is the closest star-forming region of the Sun. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The star forming region Orion nebula. The picture was made without unsharp masking

Orion Nebula (M42 - 43) - The Orion Nebula, M42 and M43 - Located 1500 years - light, the Orion Nebula is the closest star-forming region of the Sun. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The star forming region Orion nebula. The picture was made without unsharp masking

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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

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Spiral galaxy M100 in Berenice's Hair - Spiral galaxy M100 in Coma Berenices - The spiral galaxy M100 (NGC 4321) is located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the Virgin's galaxy cluster. Above the galaxy a dwarf elliptical galaxy, probably interacting with M100. This image was obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This dominant galaxy is the face - on spiral M100, one of the finest spirals in the Virgo cluster. As might be expected in a galaxy - rich environment, the lack of perfect symmetry in its brightest spiral arms suggests that M100 has been disturbed by gravitational interaction with its neighbours. At the top of the image is the first colour picture of a much less spectacular galaxy, a so - called 'nucleated dwarf' elliptical galaxy, probably interacting with M100. Dwarf galaxies are by far the commonest kind in rich clusters such as this, but nucleated examples are quite rare

Spiral galaxy M100 in Berenice's Hair - Spiral galaxy M100 in Coma Berenices - The spiral galaxy M100 (NGC 4321) is located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the Virgin's galaxy cluster. Above the galaxy a dwarf elliptical galaxy, probably interacting with M100. This image was obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This dominant galaxy is the face - on spiral M100, one of the finest spirals in the Virgo cluster. As might be expected in a galaxy - rich environment, the lack of perfect symmetry in its brightest spiral arms suggests that M100 has been disturbed by gravitational interaction with its neighbours. At the top of the image is the first colour picture of a much less spectacular galaxy, a so - called 'nucleated dwarf' elliptical galaxy, probably interacting with M100. Dwarf galaxies are by far the commonest kind in rich clusters such as this, but nucleated examples are quite rare

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

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

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Central region of the spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Nucleus of 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. The photo taken by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope highlights the nucleus of this galaxy. At the centre of the spiral arms of NGC 300 is an unusually compact, star - like nucleus. It is surrounded by a faint but extensive yellow haze, consisting of millions of faint, cool stars. This is the older population, or 'bulge' of NGC 300, a distant equivalent to the (much more numerous) stars that we see in our own galaxy as the brightest part of the Milky Way in Sagittarius

Central region of the spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Nucleus of 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. The photo taken by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope highlights the nucleus of this galaxy. At the centre of the spiral arms of NGC 300 is an unusually compact, star - like nucleus. It is surrounded by a faint but extensive yellow haze, consisting of millions of faint, cool stars. This is the older population, or 'bulge' of NGC 300, a distant equivalent to the (much more numerous) stars that we see in our own galaxy as the brightest part of the Milky Way in Sagittarius

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Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth. This Giant Galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Centaurus A is a most unusual galaxy. The circular, uniformly bright portion is composed of several thousand million stars, most of them old and yellowish. The galaxy is girded by a dense dust lane which obscures and reddens the light of stars behind it. Some younger, blue stars can be seen at the edges of the dust cloud. One of the nearer galaxies, 13 million light years away, Centaurus A is the most powerful nearby radio source and is also a copious source of X - and gamma rays as well as visible and infrared radiation

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth. This Giant Galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Centaurus A is a most unusual galaxy. The circular, uniformly bright portion is composed of several thousand million stars, most of them old and yellowish. The galaxy is girded by a dense dust lane which obscures and reddens the light of stars behind it. Some younger, blue stars can be seen at the edges of the dust cloud. One of the nearer galaxies, 13 million light years away, Centaurus A is the most powerful nearby radio source and is also a copious source of X - and gamma rays as well as visible and infrared radiation

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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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Nebula IC 2220 in the Carene - The IC 2220, nebula, deep image - This nebula is illuminated by a large red star, the star HD 65670. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Many stars lose a substantial part of their mass as they age. The more massive the star, the greater the fraction of their substance is lost. Much material is ejected by intense stellar winds driven from the surface of extremely hot stars and the mass loss is often only detectable in the stellar spectrum. In cooler stars temperatures may be low enough for elements or simple compounds to form solid grains in the star's outer atmosphere. This is seen as dust, and sometimes there is enough to reflect the light of the star within. As is often the case with stellar outflows, the IC 2220 reflection nebula is bipolar, hinting at conditions near the surface of the central star

Nebula IC 2220 in the Carene - The IC 2220, nebula, deep image - This nebula is illuminated by a large red star, the star HD 65670. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Many stars lose a substantial part of their mass as they age. The more massive the star, the greater the fraction of their substance is lost. Much material is ejected by intense stellar winds driven from the surface of extremely hot stars and the mass loss is often only detectable in the stellar spectrum. In cooler stars temperatures may be low enough for elements or simple compounds to form solid grains in the star's outer atmosphere. This is seen as dust, and sometimes there is enough to reflect the light of the star within. As is often the case with stellar outflows, the IC 2220 reflection nebula is bipolar, hinting at conditions near the surface of the central star

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Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in the Pneumatic Machine - Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in Antlia - NGC 2997 is a spiral galaxy distant about 55 million years - light. NGC 2997 seems to be a galaxy seen from the front but in reality is inclined by about 45 degrees. Its arms are home to large star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. The disc of NGC 2997 is inclined at about 45 degrees to our line of sight, revealing its internal structure and giving the galaxy an oval appearance. Like most spirals, the galaxy has two prominent spiral arms, which appear to originate in the yellow nucleus, are peppered with bright red blobs of ionised hydrogen which are similar to regions of star formation in our own Milky Way. Within these gas clouds are produced the hot blue stars which generate most of the light in the arms of the galaxy. A much older population of yellowish stars are concentrated around the nucleus. NGC 2997 is located about 55 million light year from us

Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in the Pneumatic Machine - Spiral galaxy NGC 2997 in Antlia - NGC 2997 is a spiral galaxy distant about 55 million years - light. NGC 2997 seems to be a galaxy seen from the front but in reality is inclined by about 45 degrees. Its arms are home to large star-forming regions while its core is surrounded by much older yellow stars. The disc of NGC 2997 is inclined at about 45 degrees to our line of sight, revealing its internal structure and giving the galaxy an oval appearance. Like most spirals, the galaxy has two prominent spiral arms, which appear to originate in the yellow nucleus, are peppered with bright red blobs of ionised hydrogen which are similar to regions of star formation in our own Milky Way. Within these gas clouds are produced the hot blue stars which generate most of the light in the arms of the galaxy. A much older population of yellowish stars are concentrated around the nucleus. NGC 2997 is located about 55 million light year from us

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The cluster of galaxies in Fornax - The cluster of galaxies in Fornax - The cluster of galaxies in the Furnace is located about 55 million years away from Earth. This image shows only a detail of the cluster. Lower right, the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365

The cluster of galaxies in Fornax - The cluster of galaxies in Fornax - The cluster of galaxies in the Furnace is located about 55 million years away from Earth. This image shows only a detail of the cluster. Lower right, the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365

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Circumpolar - Hemisphere south and hemisphere north - North and South celestial pole star trails - Photographic pose of several hours around the south celeste pole (left) in Australia and around the north pole in La Palma, Canary Islands. 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. These pictures were made from Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, and from the La Plama Observatory in the Canary Islands, so the pivotal points are about 30 degrees above their respective horizons, which reflects their geographical latitudes

Circumpolar - Hemisphere south and hemisphere north - North and South celestial pole star trails - Photographic pose of several hours around the south celeste pole (left) in Australia and around the north pole in La Palma, Canary Islands. 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. These pictures were made from Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, and from the La Plama Observatory in the Canary Islands, so the pivotal points are about 30 degrees above their respective horizons, which reflects their geographical latitudes

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Nebula NGC 2359 in the Big Dog - A Wolf - Rayet star in NGC 2359 - NGC 2359 is a nebula in the Big Dog that houses a star Wolf - Rayet, HD 56925. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 2359 is the nebula produced by a single, extremely hot star HD 56925. This is one of the rare Wolf - Rayet stars, whose intrinsic brilliance is combined with high rates of mass loss from its surface. This material is ejected from the star with velocities which approach 2000 kilometers per second. This violent activity quickly reduces the mass of the star which in turn reduces the instability. The rapidly - moving ejected material interacts with the gas and dust around the star producing the cosmic bubble seen here. Such stars are unusual, largely because extreme behaviour of this kind cannot be sustained for long. This particular example is spectacular because it happens to inhabit a part of our Galaxy rich in interstellar gas

Nebula NGC 2359 in the Big Dog - A Wolf - Rayet star in NGC 2359 - NGC 2359 is a nebula in the Big Dog that houses a star Wolf - Rayet, HD 56925. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 2359 is the nebula produced by a single, extremely hot star HD 56925. This is one of the rare Wolf - Rayet stars, whose intrinsic brilliance is combined with high rates of mass loss from its surface. This material is ejected from the star with velocities which approach 2000 kilometers per second. This violent activity quickly reduces the mass of the star which in turn reduces the instability. The rapidly - moving ejected material interacts with the gas and dust around the star producing the cosmic bubble seen here. Such stars are unusual, largely because extreme behaviour of this kind cannot be sustained for long. This particular example is spectacular because it happens to inhabit a part of our Galaxy rich in interstellar gas

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Irregular Galaxy IC 5152 in the Indian - A nearby galaxy, IC 5152 - IC 5152 is an irregular galaxy located about 5.8 million years ago - light. In the foreground, a star in our galaxy of 8th magnitude. Image made in 1982 with the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring. This small blue galaxy is resolved into stars in this deep AAT picture, which means that it is relatively nearby. However despite its proximity, it is probably just beyond the Local Group, which is a loose collection of 30 or so galaxies within 2 or 3 million light years of the Milky Way. Apart from the Milky Way and the similarly massive M31 galaxy in Andromeda, most of our immediate extra - galactic neighbours are light - weight collections of stars and gas like IC 5152, though few (except the Large Magellanic Cloud) show such strong evidence of recent star formation The bright object which appears at the eastern end of the galaxy is an 8th magnitude blue star in the Milky Way

Irregular Galaxy IC 5152 in the Indian - A nearby galaxy, IC 5152 - IC 5152 is an irregular galaxy located about 5.8 million years ago - light. In the foreground, a star in our galaxy of 8th magnitude. Image made in 1982 with the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring. This small blue galaxy is resolved into stars in this deep AAT picture, which means that it is relatively nearby. However despite its proximity, it is probably just beyond the Local Group, which is a loose collection of 30 or so galaxies within 2 or 3 million light years of the Milky Way. Apart from the Milky Way and the similarly massive M31 galaxy in Andromeda, most of our immediate extra - galactic neighbours are light - weight collections of stars and gas like IC 5152, though few (except the Large Magellanic Cloud) show such strong evidence of recent star formation The bright object which appears at the eastern end of the galaxy is an 8th magnitude blue star in the Milky Way

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Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae, NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clus

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae, NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clus

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Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

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Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

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

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

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Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20 or NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Trifid nebula is located in Sagittarius constellation between 5000 and 10 000 light - years away. Stars, the Sun included, were born within clouds of dusty gas such as the Trifid Nebula. Within it a number of young hot stars have already formed. The hottest cause the gas, mostly hydrogen, to emit its characteristic red light. Around the red emission nebula the gas contains many dust grains which preferentially reflect the blue component of starlight, and to the north (top) of the nebula can be seen a bright star which illuminates part of the dust to create a region of blue reflection. In some parts of the nebula there are so many dust grains that they hide the glowing gas, producing the three dark lanes which gi

Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20 or NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Trifid nebula is located in Sagittarius constellation between 5000 and 10 000 light - years away. Stars, the Sun included, were born within clouds of dusty gas such as the Trifid Nebula. Within it a number of young hot stars have already formed. The hottest cause the gas, mostly hydrogen, to emit its characteristic red light. Around the red emission nebula the gas contains many dust grains which preferentially reflect the blue component of starlight, and to the north (top) of the nebula can be seen a bright star which illuminates part of the dust to create a region of blue reflection. In some parts of the nebula there are so many dust grains that they hide the glowing gas, producing the three dark lanes which gi

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

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

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Southern Crown Nebula - The Corona Australis nebula (NGC 6726 - 27 - 29) - R Coronae Australis is a region of star formations visible in the southern hemisphere. It is located about 500 light years away from Earth. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This spectacular reflection nebula is the result of a few bright stars caught up in a large, dusty cloud. If that is all there was here, this region would be considered to be like the Pleiades, an accidental association of dust and stars. However, there are features here that show the dark cloud to be an active star forming nebula, though most of the action is hidden from view. The peculiar yellowish curved streak near the two bright reflection nebulae surround an intriguing object best seen in infrared light, R CRA, a young star still accreting interstellar material on to its surface. It seems to be the source of two compact but distinctly red patches which are Herbig - Haro objects, often the first visible signs of star forma

Southern Crown Nebula - The Corona Australis nebula (NGC 6726 - 27 - 29) - R Coronae Australis is a region of star formations visible in the southern hemisphere. It is located about 500 light years away from Earth. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This spectacular reflection nebula is the result of a few bright stars caught up in a large, dusty cloud. If that is all there was here, this region would be considered to be like the Pleiades, an accidental association of dust and stars. However, there are features here that show the dark cloud to be an active star forming nebula, though most of the action is hidden from view. The peculiar yellowish curved streak near the two bright reflection nebulae surround an intriguing object best seen in infrared light, R CRA, a young star still accreting interstellar material on to its surface. It seems to be the source of two compact but distinctly red patches which are Herbig - Haro objects, often the first visible signs of star forma

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Circumpolar - South Hemisphere - Star trails around the south celestial pole - Photographic pose of several hours around the south celeste pole. Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope dome in the foreground. The reddish color of the sky is due to the volcanic eruption of the Pinatubo. On June 15, 1991, after weeks of rumbling and venting steam and poisonous gas, Mt Pinatubo exploded on the island of Luzon, in the Phillipines. This was the largest volcanic eruption for nearly a century. The eruption killed over 700 people and ejected several cubic kilometers of dust and gas over 35 km high into the stratosphere. The effects were felt around the world and included a temporary global cooling and a thinning of the ozone layer as well as other changes in the global weather pattern. However, the most obvious effect for many people was a milkiness in the daytime sky due to scattering by high altitude aerosols, and corresponding anomalous sunsets and twilights that were noticable for years. This pictu

Circumpolar - South Hemisphere - Star trails around the south celestial pole - Photographic pose of several hours around the south celeste pole. Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope dome in the foreground. The reddish color of the sky is due to the volcanic eruption of the Pinatubo. On June 15, 1991, after weeks of rumbling and venting steam and poisonous gas, Mt Pinatubo exploded on the island of Luzon, in the Phillipines. This was the largest volcanic eruption for nearly a century. The eruption killed over 700 people and ejected several cubic kilometers of dust and gas over 35 km high into the stratosphere. The effects were felt around the world and included a temporary global cooling and a thinning of the ozone layer as well as other changes in the global weather pattern. However, the most obvious effect for many people was a milkiness in the daytime sky due to scattering by high altitude aerosols, and corresponding anomalous sunsets and twilights that were noticable for years. This pictu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) in the Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128). Wide field - The NGC 5128 galaxy is about 13 million light years away from Earth. Image obtained from the 1.2m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Centaurus A is a most unusual galaxy, set in a rich part of the southern sky. not only are there plenty of stars here to catch the eye, but the region is rich in galaxies as well. One of the nearer galaxies, at 13 million light years away, Centaurus A is the most powerful nearby radio source and is also a copious source of X - and gamma rays as well as visible and infrared radiation

Elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) in the Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128). Wide field - The NGC 5128 galaxy is about 13 million light years away from Earth. Image obtained from the 1.2m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Centaurus A is a most unusual galaxy, set in a rich part of the southern sky. not only are there plenty of stars here to catch the eye, but the region is rich in galaxies as well. One of the nearer galaxies, at 13 million light years away, Centaurus A is the most powerful nearby radio source and is also a copious source of X - and gamma rays as well as visible and infrared radiation

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Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpio - Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpius - Nebula with low light emission, IC 4628 (or Gum 56) is alongside the open cluster Collinder 316, which houses many hot young stars. This beautiful, arc - like rim of nebulosity is in the far southern sky, out of sight from most of the USA and Europe. It is quite faint and has often been overlooked because of it, even by southern observers. However, it is in a rich region in Scorpius. This richness is reflected in the number of names associated with the objects in the field illustrated here. There is a large scattered star cluster, Collinder 316 which extends over most of the picture. It encloses Trumpler 24, more or less the same cluster under another name, and all of this is part of the Sco OB1 association, a much larger gathering of very hot, intrinsically luminous stars in this part of the sky. The nebula itself is also known as Gum 56, after the Australian Colin Gum who catalogued emission nebulae in the southern sky using wi

Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpio - Nebula IC 4628 in Scorpius - Nebula with low light emission, IC 4628 (or Gum 56) is alongside the open cluster Collinder 316, which houses many hot young stars. This beautiful, arc - like rim of nebulosity is in the far southern sky, out of sight from most of the USA and Europe. It is quite faint and has often been overlooked because of it, even by southern observers. However, it is in a rich region in Scorpius. This richness is reflected in the number of names associated with the objects in the field illustrated here. There is a large scattered star cluster, Collinder 316 which extends over most of the picture. It encloses Trumpler 24, more or less the same cluster under another name, and all of this is part of the Sco OB1 association, a much larger gathering of very hot, intrinsically luminous stars in this part of the sky. The nebula itself is also known as Gum 56, after the Australian Colin Gum who catalogued emission nebulae in the southern sky using wi

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Orion Nebula (M42 - 43) - The Orion Nebula - Located 1500 years ago - the Orion Nebula is the closest region to the formation of stars of the Sun. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The Orion Nebula is famous for a number of reasons. It is the nearest bright nebula to us and can be seen with the naked eye. Its brightness led to it being the first nebula ever photographed (in 1882) and its proximity (1500 light years) means that we know more about it than any other star - forming region. It is also in a very active stage of star formation and it is perfectly placed for us to explore the intimate details of the birth of stars. The inner regions are glowing mainly in the red light of excited hydrogen, which together with some green emission from oxygen give the centre of the nebula a yellowish colour. The energy for this spectacular display comes from the small cluster of stars in the brightest part of the nebula. Three, five - minute exposures were used to make this pict

Orion Nebula (M42 - 43) - The Orion Nebula - Located 1500 years ago - the Orion Nebula is the closest region to the formation of stars of the Sun. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The Orion Nebula is famous for a number of reasons. It is the nearest bright nebula to us and can be seen with the naked eye. Its brightness led to it being the first nebula ever photographed (in 1882) and its proximity (1500 light years) means that we know more about it than any other star - forming region. It is also in a very active stage of star formation and it is perfectly placed for us to explore the intimate details of the birth of stars. The inner regions are glowing mainly in the red light of excited hydrogen, which together with some green emission from oxygen give the centre of the nebula a yellowish colour. The energy for this spectacular display comes from the small cluster of stars in the brightest part of the nebula. Three, five - minute exposures were used to make this pict

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clust

Globular cluster 47 Toucan - The globular cluster 47 Tucanae NGC 104 - The globular cluster 47 Toucan (or NGC 104) is visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. Located about 15000 years ago - light it contains several million stars, some of which are among the oldest stars known today. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. Among the many spectacular objects in the southern skies are two magnificent naked - eye globular clusters, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. These ancient cities of stars are captives of the Milky Way but were formed long before our Galaxy assumed its present shape, indeed these clusters have some of the oldest known stars. 47 Tuc is about 15,000 light years distant and contains several million stars, as many as some minor galaxies. The crowded central region leads to occasional stellar encounters and it is in 47 Tuc that rapidly - spinning pulsars have been discovered by radio astronomers. Although the light of globular clust

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