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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- M101: The Pinwheel Galaxy
NASA ^ | June 14, 2015 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 06/15/2015 4:20:11 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

Explanation: Why do many galaxies appear as spirals? A striking example is M101, shown above, whose relatively close distance of about 27 million light years allows it to be studied in some detail. Observational evidence indicates that a close gravitational interaction with a neighboring galaxy created waves of high mass and condensed gas which continue to orbit the galaxy center. These waves compress existing gas and cause star formation. One result is that M101, also called the Pinwheel Galaxy, has several extremely bright star-forming regions (called HII regions) spread across its spiral arms. M101 is so large that its immense gravity distorts smaller nearby galaxies.

June 14, 2015

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; m101; science
[Credit: Subaru Telescope (NAOJ), Hubble Space Telescope; Processing and Copyright: Robert Gendler]

1 posted on 06/15/2015 4:20:12 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; dayglored; ...
The Big One

2 posted on 06/15/2015 4:22:32 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (What do we want? REGIME CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW)
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To: SunkenCiv

Hunger to see inside of everything, Civ ... My appreciation ...


3 posted on 06/15/2015 4:34:39 PM PDT by no-to-illegals (Do what is Right ... It causes liberal heads to explode!)
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To: SunkenCiv

How many times have I stupidly try to glimpse this one as a kid through a 60mm refractor in the middle of the city!

But hey, it was fun none the less.


4 posted on 06/15/2015 5:31:11 PM PDT by VanDeKoik
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To: SunkenCiv

Ahhh... The beautiful behemoth! Large enough to distort
surrounding galaxies. Whew! That’s BIG!

Thank you for the post and ping, Mr. Civilizations.

Sorry I’ve been AWOL for a while, but Bryan and I went
to Texas for the Texas Cowboy Memorial Shoot.

It’s nice to be back again, and nice to see you.


5 posted on 06/15/2015 5:47:09 PM PDT by TheOldLady (Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8 - Look it up. I miss the Gipper. Wish we still had someone like him.)
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To: no-to-illegals

:’) My pleasure.


6 posted on 06/16/2015 9:14:52 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (What do we want? REGIME CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW)
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