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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- M72: A Globular Cluster of Stars
NASA ^
| August 19, 2012
| (see photo credit)
Posted on 08/18/2012 10:09:57 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Globular clusters once ruled the Milky Way. Back in the old days, back when our Galaxy first formed, perhaps thousands of globular clusters roamed our Galaxy. Today, there are less than 200 left. Many globular clusters were destroyed over the eons by repeated fateful encounters with each other or the Galactic center. Surviving relics are older than any Earth fossil, older than any other structures in our Galaxy, and limit the universe itself in raw age. There are few, if any, young globular clusters in our Milky Way Galaxy because conditions are not ripe for more to form. Pictured above by the Hubble Space Telescope are about 100,000 of M72's stars. M72, which spans about 50 light years and lies about 50,000 light years away, can be seen with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Water Bearer (Aquarius).
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; m72; science
1
posted on
08/18/2012 10:10:10 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...
Beautiful Images: Facebook Sky
2
posted on
08/18/2012 10:27:21 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: SunkenCiv
WOW! The enlarged photo is stunning!
God’s glory!
3
posted on
08/18/2012 10:35:18 PM PDT
by
onyx
(FREE REPUBLIC IS HERE TO STAY! DONATE MONTHLY! IF YOU WANT ON SARAH PALIN''S PING LIST, LET ME KNOW)
To: SunkenCiv; ExTexasRedhead
SunkenCiv, I am a believer in our God Of Creation, but I've always been a fan of Issac Azimov.
I just don't think G_d would leave us alone in His Universe.
I Think we're suppossed to get busy.
Just a thought ....................................... FRegards
4
posted on
08/19/2012 1:38:48 AM PDT
by
gonzo
( Buy more ammo, dammit! You should already have the firearms ... FRegards)
To: gonzo
I Think we're suppossed to get busy.
I'm with you. We'll advance and discover when we're ready.
5
posted on
08/19/2012 4:02:41 AM PDT
by
cripplecreek
(What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
To: cripplecreek
No planet in that celestial neighborhood would enjoy a night-time. Too many suns in every direction.
6
posted on
08/19/2012 5:26:31 AM PDT
by
Loud Mime
(Is this the right room for an argument? Michael Palin (no relation to Sarah))
To: Loud Mime
I would think that planets would be pretty unlikely in that neighborhood. The gravitational forces would be pulling every which way. Maybe a planet could orbit a star or stars in the outer fringes.
My vision of a planet orbiting a red dwarf that in turn orbits a sunlike star at about the same distance as our asteroid belt.
7
posted on
08/19/2012 5:43:32 AM PDT
by
cripplecreek
(What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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