Posted on 03/04/2013 7:47:15 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Sprawling across almost 200 light-years, emission nebula IC 1805 is a mix of glowing interstellar gas and dark dust clouds. Derived from its Valentine's-Day-approved shape, its nickname is the Heart Nebula. About 7,500 light-years away in the Perseus spiral arm of our galaxy, stars were born in IC 1805. In fact, near the cosmic heart's center are the massive hot stars of a newborn star cluster also known as Melotte 15, about 1.5 million years young. A little ironically, the Heart Nebula is located in the constellation of the mythical Queen of Aethiopia (Cassiopeia). This deep view of the region around the Heart Nebula spans about two degrees on the sky or about four times the diameter of the Full Moon.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit & Copyright: Terry Hancock]
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Now THAT’S What I Call an APOD!
Yup.
Space is awesome.
I know, right! I don’t know about you, but I saved that one! :-D
My heart actually looks like that. I saw it on the scanner when I was having catheter surgery for atrial fibrillation.
It’s elongated and enlarged, probably from all the strenuous exercise I did trying unsuccessfully to keep in shape.
Of course, that was before they knocked me out because I could feel the pain from the surgery. I guess most people can’t feel their hearts, but lucky me! I can, so I didn’t get to see the whole thing... :(
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