Another supernova explodes in a galaxy know for them

Another supernova explodes in a galaxy know for them

May 21, 2017 Utah amateur Patrick Wiggins discovered a possible bright supernova in the spiral galaxy NGC 6946 in Cygnus on May 13. If confirmed, 2017 eaw will become the 10th supernova found in this explosion-rich galaxy in the past century, reaffirming its reputation for fireworks of the grandest kind. It was Wiggins’s third supernova, […]

The magnificent Orion nebula, powered by Trapezium, and observable by small telescopes

The magnificent Orion nebula, powered by Trapezium, and observable by small telescopes

March 12, 2017 [CLICK ON IMAGE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION, Christoph Kaltseis, CEDIC 2017] Near the center of this sharp cosmic portrait, at the heart of the Orion Nebula, are four hot, massive stars known as the Trapezium. Tightly gathered within a region about 1.5 light-years in radius, they dominate the core of the dense Orion […]

Disturbance in the ‘force’: Did passing galaxy cause ‘Polar Ring’ NGC 660’s shape?

Disturbance in the ‘force’: Did passing galaxy cause ‘Polar Ring’ NGC 660’s shape?

[CLICK ON IMAGE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION / CHART32 Team, Processing – Johannes Schedler] Over 40 million light-years away and swimming within the boundaries of the constellation Pisces, NGC 660’s peculiar appearance marks it as a polar ring galaxy. A rare galaxy type, polar ring galaxies have a substantial population of stars, gas, and dust orbiting […]

Scenic vistas for astronauts on the International Space Station

Scenic vistas for astronauts on the International Space Station

Jan. 31, 2017 [CLICK ON IMAGE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION, NASA, JSC, ESRS] Astronauts aboard the International Space Station see some amazing vistas, one of which was captured in this breathtaking picture in mid-2015. First, visible at the top, are parts of the space station itself including solar panels. Just below the station is the band […]

A galaxy couple 300 million light years away

A galaxy couple 300 million light years away

[CLICK ON IMAGE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION, Wolfgang Ries / Stefan Heutz (Astrokooperation)] The two eye-catching galaxies lie far beyond the Milky Way, at a distance of over 300 million light-years. Their distorted appearance is due to gravitational tides as the pair engage in close encounters. Cataloged as Arp 273 (also as UGC 1810), the galaxies […]

No, ‘Rogue One’ isn’t anti-Trump; It’s about selfless sacrifice and ‘hope’

No, ‘Rogue One’ isn’t anti-Trump; It’s about selfless sacrifice and ‘hope’

December 28, 2016 Let’s be clear — “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” won’t replace “The Empire Strikes Back” as the best film in the beloved franchise. That doesn’t mean “Rogue One” isn’t both satisfying and grittier than any film in the “Star Wars” canon. … We finally learn how those Death Star plans were […]

Mars poses with the stars, Antares and M4

Mars poses with the stars, Antares and M4

[CLICK ON IMAGE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION, Sebastian Voltmer] Wandering through this stunning field of view, Mars really is in front of these colorful cosmic clouds. The mosaic contructed from telescopic images is about 5 degrees (10 full moons) across. It captures the planet’s position on Aug. 26, over 7 light-minutes from Earth and very near […]

Check out the magnificent M13 globular star cluster with your binoculars

Check out the magnificent M13 globular star cluster with your binoculars

[CLICK ON IMAGE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION, Dean Fournier; Inset: ESA/Hubble & NASA] M13 is one of the most prominent and best known globular clusters. Visible with binoculars in the constellation of Hercules, M13 is frequently one of the first objects found by curious sky gazers seeking celestials wonders beyond normal human vision. M13 is a […]

Three universes, 90 million light years away

Three universes, 90 million light years away

July 6, 2016 [CLICK ON IMAGE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION, CHART32 Team, Processing – Johannes Schedler] [This telescopic view] features a trio of interacting galaxies almost 90 million light-years away, toward the constellation Virgo. On the right, two, spiky, foreground Milky Way stars echo the trio galaxy hues, a reminder that stars in our own galaxy […]

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