Posted on 11/18/2012 6:13:47 AM PST by SunkenCiv
Explanation: How massive can a normal star be? Estimates made from distance, brightness and standard solar models had given one star in the open cluster Pismis 24 over 200 times the mass of our Sun, nearly making it the record holder. This star is the brightest object located just above the gas front in the above image. Close inspection of images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, however, have shown that Pismis 24-1 derives its brilliant luminosity not from a single star but from three at least. Component stars would still remain near 100 solar masses, making them among the more massive stars currently on record. Toward the bottom of the image, stars are still forming in the associated emission nebula NGC 6357. Appearing perhaps like a Gothic cathedral, energetic stars near the center appear to be breaking out and illuminating a spectacular cocoon.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
|
Absolutely Beautiful! Thank You, Dear FRiend! :-)
Ooohhh, it’s like getting a glimpse of Heaven. Thank you, Sunky!
P.S. Were you a child star??
Absolutely staggering. Such glorious beauty! Our God reigns!
Rotated, it makes a great background... It looks like a space storm about to engulf a star system.
A little bit of Heaven!
Who’s to say which way is up?
Having that anywhere near us sure would cut down on heating bills!
(But the A/C bill would be a killer.)
And the God who made all of this... loved us enough to become human and die on the cross for our sins.
Thanks all!
Thank *you* for posting this on a daily basis! Always fascinating, when I happen to catch it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.