Astronomy Picture of the Day Archives

Brokenfriend · 03-24-2014, 02:33 PM

I've never seen one of these,but it must be a beautiful sight.

2014 March 24: Orion and Aurora over Iceland

BF

Mari · 03-24-2014, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokenfriend

Here's a pretty one.

2014 March 11: In the Heart of the Rosette Nebula

BF

Quote:

Explanation:

In the heart of the Rosette Nebula lies a bright open cluster of stars that lights up the nebula. The stars of NGC 2244 formed from the surrounding gas only a few million years ago.
The above image taken in January using multiple exposures and very specific colors of Sulfur (shaded red), Hydrogen (green), and Oxygen (blue), captures the central region in tremendous detail.

A hot wind of particles streams away from the cluster stars and contributes to an already complex menagerie of gas and dust filaments while slowly evacuating the cluster center. T

he Rosette Nebula's center measures about 50 light-years across, lies about 4,500 light-years away, and is visible with binoculars towards the constellation of the Unicorn (Monoceros).

Mari · 03-24-2014, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokenfriend

I've never seen one of these,but it must be a beautiful sight.

2014 March 24: Orion and Aurora over Iceland

BF

This is really neat.

Quote:

Explanation:

If you see a sky like this -- photograph it.
A month ago in Iceland, an adventurous photographer chanced across a sky full of aurora and did just that. In the foreground lies the stratovolcano Öræfajökull.
In the background, among other sky delights, lies the constellation of Orion, visible to the aurora's left. Auroras are sparked by energetic particles from the Sun impacting the magnetic environment around the Earth

I can usually recognize Orion if the light is right -- it is the only constellation I can find. When I was a kid, my mom taught us lots of them.

I want to go to Iceland and listen to people talk -- the spellings of their words are out of this world.

M

Brokenfriend · 03-24-2014, 11:45 PM

Thank you Mari. I can recognize Orion's Belt when I see it in the sky. BF

Brokenfriend · 03-29-2014, 10:46 PM

Here's something interesting. I didn't know that some Galaxies are speeding this fast in outer space.

2014 March 28: Stripping ESO 137 001

BF

ginnie · 03-30-2014, 12:22 AM

Did anyone read any of Tysons books? He is a very good writer, and gives good explanations of hard concepts. ginnie

ginnie · 03-30-2014, 12:26 AM

Spent several nights in Jamaica on my back looking up at the stars. Being by the equator, things didn't look the same as back home. Will compare when our sky clears up. Gave a few science lessons to the kids down there on what they were observing. real good fun.....ginnie

Mari · 03-30-2014, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokenfriend

Here's something interesting. I didn't know that some Galaxies are speeding this fast in outer space.

2014 March 28: Stripping ESO 137 001

BF

Hi,

Here is it:

Quote:

Explanation:
Spiral galaxy ESO 137-001 hurtles through massive galaxy cluster Abell 3627 some 220 million light years away.
The distant galaxy is seen in this colorful Hubble/Chandra composite image through a foreground of the Milky Way's stars toward the southern constellation Triangulum Australe.

Mari

Brokenfriend · 03-30-2014, 10:03 PM

Thank you Mari. I wonder how they calculated the speed of this galaxy? So many questions.

I glad that we get to see these objects,and hear their theories. BF

Mari · 03-30-2014, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokenfriend

Thank you Mari. I wonder how they calculated the speed of this galaxy? So many questions.

I glad that we get to see these objects,and hear their theories. BF

I looked it up.
Maybe this helps a little:

http://voices.yahoo.com/how-astronom...f-3510637.html

Quote:

How Astronomers Measure the Distance and Speed of Distant Galaxies
The Importance of the Type 1a Super Nova

. . . This also let's astronomers determine how fast the galaxy is moving, either away or toward us.
Light moves in a wave.
If a galaxy is moving toward us the waves are closer together and the light is bluer.
If the galaxy is moving away from us the light is redder.
This change in wave length is called the Doppler shift.
By measuring the Doppler shift astronomers can determine if a galaxy is moving toward us or away from us.

M

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