Posted on 09/07/2010 2:41:00 PM PDT by TaraP
The Hubble Space Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys has captured a remarkable image of a spiral in space. No, not a spiral galaxy, (and not another Norway Spiral!) but the formation of an unusual pre-planetary nebula in one of the most perfect geometrical spirals ever seen. The nebula, called IRAS 23166+1655, is forming around the star LL Pegasi (also known as AFGL 3068) in the constellation of Pegasus.
The image shows what appears to be a thin spiral pattern of amazing precision winding around the star, which is itself hidden behind thick dust. Mark Morris from UCLA and an international team of astronomers say that material forming the spiral is moving outwards at a speed of about 50,000 km/hour and by combining this speed with the distance between layers, they calculate that the shells are each separated by about 800 years. The spiral pattern suggests a regular periodic origin for the nebula’s shape, and astronomers believe that shape is forming because LL Pegasi is a binary star system.
One star is losing material as it and the companion star are orbiting each other. The spacing between layers in the spiral is expected to directly reflect the orbital period of the binary, which is estimated to be also about 800 years. A progression of quasi-concentric shells has been observed around a number of preplanetary nebulae, but this almost perfect spiral shape is unique. Morris and his team say that the structure of the AFGL 3068 envelope raises the possibility that binary companions are responsible for quasi-concentric shells in most or all of the systems in which they have been observed, and the lack of symmetry in the shells seen elsewhere can perhaps be attributed to orbital eccentricity, to different projections of the orbital planes, and to unfavorable illumination geometries. Additionally – and remarkably — this object may be illuminated by galactic light. This image appears like something from the famous "Starry Night" painting by Vincent van Gogh, and reveals what can occur with stars that have masses about half that of the Sun up to about eight times that of the Sun. They do not explode as supernovae at the ends of their lives, but instead can create these striking and intricate features as their outer layers of gas are shed and drift into space. This object is just starting this process and the central star has yet to emerge from the cocoon of enveloping dust.
PEGASUS
THE WINGED WHITE HORSE
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war.
Consideration:
The only white horse in the sky is the constellation Pegasus.
Therefore we should look for new activity in Pegasus as a sign.
I wonder what learned Christian Theologians would think of your embrace of pagan astronomic lore applied to the post-Messianic apocalyptic ravings of the apostle John?
Wormhole, or a smudge on the mirror.
An excellent place to hide Jimmy Hoffa’s body, I must say.
Very cool astronomical phenomenon.
Tin Horn? Looks like a extra large collector for some kind of data.
Here?
Seriously now, how would we be able to tell the difference between a sufficiently large artifact of advanced civilization and just something in space.
Not astronomic but astrologic(al).
I am 41. As long as I can remember rapture enamored Christians have been clipping articles out of Scientific American RE: Astrological anomalies and tried to cram them into bible versus. Same goes with headlines from the middle east.
The Russian Bear. A plague. An earthquake. The European Union. My personal fav is when folks try to make a place for the good old USA in some revelation symbolism.
The Bible is 4000 years old, Jesus has been “coming back soon” for 2000 years. Everybody thinks this is the time. Which is fine I guess, but very ethnocentric. The Byzantines thought it was the end of the world in 1453.
Jesus will come back when he comes back. He will come back the way he wants to come back. He isn’t asking for anybodies permission. You don’t have to figure it out either. It is what it is. Pre-trib, post trib, mid trib. Whatever. Don’t sweat it. Don’t try to cram headlines into 2000 year old apocalyptic literature.
Astronomicalogical
You posed the hypothesis. I didn’t. So tin foil hat “at the ready”.
astoundingmicalogical
Wow!
Well the LORD gives us wisdom, some seek it out and some wear tin foil hats according to you...
JOHN 1:51
He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Blueprint of biological manifestation of God’s DNA. John 1:51
Bump
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.