Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2002 May 21 
Posted on 05/21/2002 8:05:50 PM PDT by petuniasevan
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2002 May 21
Explanation: What causes this unusual structure near the center of our Galaxy? The long parallel rays slanting across the top of the above radio image are known collectively as the Galactic Center Radio Arc and jut straight out from the Galactic plane. The Radio Arc is connected to the Galactic center by strange curving filaments known as the Arches. The bright radio structure at the bottom right likely surrounds a black hole at the Galactic center and is known as Sagittarius A*. One origin hypothesis holds that the Radio Arc and the Arches have their geometry because they contain hot plasma flowing along lines of constant magnetic field. Recent images from the Chandra X-ray Observatory appear to show this plasma colliding with a nearby cloud of cold gas.
The Galactic Center is completely obscured in optical wavelengths.
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Today's is quite dramatic and beautiful!
The scopes' images together lend greater resolution than one single 'scope. Each antenna is 25 meters (81 feet) in diameter. The data from the antennas is combined electronically to give the resolution of an antenna 36km (22 miles) across, with the sensitivity of a dish 130 meters (422 feet) in diameter.
The artist in me just loves these pics! ROFL however this one, made me wonder if I coulda made something look just like that by throwing a bucket of paint at the canvas!!! LOL
When I view the handiwork of the Almighty, it baffles me that anyone could believe anything different than the creation that exists in the Bible! A "big bang" theory? And just what burst? Was there not matter there to begin with? and it came from where? How can anyone deny God's creating when they view such things as these that you display for us daily??
Keep up the beautiful work! It helps me when I get weary at night, to come and view something so refreshing!
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