‘Photo Essays’ Archives
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Early in the 20th century, GK Persei briefly became one of the brightest stars in planet Earth's sky, an event known as Nova Persei 1901. The ejecta from the explosion, popularly called the Firework Nebula, continues to expand into space. GK Per: Nova of 1901 Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, University of Arizona Explanation: Early in the 20th century, GK Persei briefly became one of the brightest stars in planet Earth's sky, an event known as Nova ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Sharp telescopic views of magnificent edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 3628 show a puffy galactic disk divided by dark dust lanes. The tantalizing scene puts many astronomers in mind of its popular moniker, The Hamburger Galaxy.Edge-on NGC 3628 Image Credit & Copyright: Stephen Leshin Explanation: Sharp telescopic views of magnificent edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 3628 show a puffy galactic disk divided by dark dust lanes. The tantalizing scene puts many astronomers in mind of its popular ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
What powers are being wielded in the Wizard Nebula? Gravitation strong enough to form stars, and stellar winds and radiations powerful enough to create and dissolve towers of gas. NGC 7380: The Wizard Nebula Image Credit & Copyright: Rolf Geissinger Explanation: What powers are being wielded in the Wizard Nebula? Gravitation strong enough to form stars, and stellar winds and radiations powerful enough to create and dissolve towers of gas. Located only 8,000 light years away, the ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Spooky shapes seem to haunt this starry expanse, drifting through the night in the royal constellation Cepheus.Even so, if the spooky shapes could talk, they might well wish you a happy Halloween. Ghost of the Cepheus Flare Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, University of Arizona Explanation: Spooky shapes seem to haunt this starry expanse, drifting through the night in the royal constellation Cepheus. Of course, the shapes are cosmic dust clouds ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Similar in size and grand design to our home Galaxy (although without the central bar), spiral galaxy NGC 3370 lies about 100 million light-years away toward the constellation of the Lion (Leo). Spiral Galaxy NGC 3370 from Hubble Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA); Acknowledgement: A. Reiss et al. (JHU) Explanation: Is this what our own Milky Way Galaxy looks like from far away? Similar in size and grand design to our home Galaxy (although without the ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
At the estimated distance of NGC 7129 (3,000 light-years), this telescopic view spans about 40 light-years. Young Suns of NGC 7129 Image Credit & Copyright: Johannes Schedler (Panther Observatory) Explanation: Young suns still lie within dusty NGC 7129, some 3,000 light-years away toward the royal constellation Cepheus. While these stars are at a relatively tender age, only a few million years old, it is likely that our own Sun formed in a similar stellar ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
In, through, and beyond Saturn's rings are four moons: Titan, Dione, Pandora and Pan. In, Through, and Beyond Saturn's Rings Image Credit: Cassini Imaging Team, ISS, JPL, ESA, NASA Explanation: A fourth moon is visible on the above image if you look hard enough. First -- and furthest in the background -- is Titan, the largest moon of Saturn and one of the larger moons in the Solar System. The dark feature across the top of this perpetually cloudy world is the north polar hood. ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
The collaborative skyscape begins with bluish stars of Perseus at the left, but the eye is drawn to the striking, red NGC 1499. Also known as the California Nebula, its characteristic glow of atomic hydrogen gas is powered by ultraviolet light from luminous blue star Xi Persei immediately to the nebula's rightClouds of Perseus Credit & Copyright: Image Data - Bob Caton, Al Howard, Eric Zbinden, Rogelio Bernal Andreo; Processing - Rogelio Bernal Andreo Explanation: Cosmic ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
On October 29 (UT), Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet, will be at opposition in planet Earth's sky, shining brightly and rising as the Sun sets.Jupiter Near Opposition Image Credit & Copyright: S2P/IMCCE/Obs. Midi Pyrénées, Jean-Luc Dauvergne, Francois Colas Explanation: On October 29 (UT), Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet, will be at opposition, opposite the Sun in planet Earth's sky, shining brightly and rising as the Sun sets. That configurationresults ... Full Story
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Comet Garradd (C/2009 P1) now shines in planet Earth's evening skiesTails of Comet Garradd Image Credit & Copyright: Gregg Ruppel Explanation: A good target for binoculars and small telescopes, Comet Garradd (C/2009 P1) now shines in planet Earth's evening skies, a steady performer but just below naked-eye visibility.Telescopic images like this composite from October 15 can find the comet with a lovely green coma, sporting multiple tails, and lingering against a background of ... Full Story
