Exploring the Ring

Robby

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Exploring the Ring

m57_18z_800.jpg


Exploring the Ring
Credit & Copyright: Astro-Cooperation - Stefan Heutz/Wolfgang Ries

Explanation: A familiar sight for northern hemisphere astronomers, the Ring Nebula (M57) is some 2,000 light-years away in the musical constellation Lyra. The central ring is about one light-year across, but this remarkably deep exposure - a collaborative effort combining data from two different telescopes - explores the looping filaments of glowing gas extending much farther from the nebula's central star. Of course, in this well-studied example of a planetary nebula, the glowing material does not come from planets. Instead, the gaseous shroud represents outer layers expelled from a dying, sun-like star. This composite image includes over 16 hours of narrow-band data intended to recorded the red emission from hydrogen atoms, but the pronounced blue/green color is due to emission from oxygen atoms at higher temperatures within the ring. The much more distant spiral galaxy IC 1296 is also visible at the upper right.



(Via NASA)
 
Homeland Security......Big Brother...................same thing. :D :eek: :eek:
I know it is just the paranoia talking, but I think that within 10 years if the US Homeland Security department continues down the path it is, then we will be seeing those Heinlein-esque posters & adverts about each citizen having to do their part.
 
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