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Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA ^ | 5/28/08 | NASA

Posted on 05/28/2008 1:35:38 PM PDT by sig226


Dark Clouds of the Carina Nebula
Credit:
NASA, ESA, N. Smith (U. California, Berkeley) et al., and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

Explanation: What dark forms lurk in the mists of the Carina Nebula? These ominous figures are actually molecular clouds, knots of molecular gas and dust so thick they have become opaque. In comparison, however, these clouds are typically much less dense than Earth's atmosphere. Pictured above is part of the most detailed image of the Carina Nebula ever taken, a part where dark molecular clouds are particularly prominent. The entire Carina Nebula spans over 300 light years and lies about 7,500 light-years away in the constellation of Carina. NGC 3372, known as the Great Nebula in Carina, is home to massive stars and changing nebula. Eta Carinae, the most energetic star in the nebula, was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but then faded dramatically. Wide-field annotated and zoomable versions of the larger image composite are also available.


TOPICS: Astronomy Picture of the Day
KEYWORDS: apod
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1 posted on 05/28/2008 1:35:38 PM PDT by sig226
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To: fnord; Number57; KevinDavis; rdb3; MNJohnnie; thoughtomator; RightWhale; proudofthesouth; ...

2 posted on 05/28/2008 1:36:19 PM PDT by sig226 (Real power is not the ability to destroy an enemy. It is the willingness to do it.)
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To: sig226

What creates these inky molecular clouds? Giant squid?


3 posted on 05/28/2008 1:43:07 PM PDT by RightWhale (You are reading this now)
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To: sig226

I am in awe. Beautiful.


4 posted on 05/28/2008 1:45:18 PM PDT by clinkclink
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To: RightWhale

Stars. Complex atoms are created inside stars.


5 posted on 05/28/2008 1:45:39 PM PDT by allmendream (Life begins at the moment of contraception. ;))
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To: allmendream

The giant squid would have us believe that.


6 posted on 05/28/2008 1:47:49 PM PDT by RightWhale (You are reading this now)
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To: RightWhale

“What creates these inky molecular clouds? Giant squid?”

Ask Odumbo. It was black Jesus.


7 posted on 05/28/2008 1:49:19 PM PDT by Eurale
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To: RightWhale

8 posted on 05/28/2008 1:50:28 PM PDT by JRios1968 ("If you go over a cliff with all flags flying, you are still going over a cliff"--Ronald Reagan)
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To: RightWhale
Yee haw Squidbillies

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9 posted on 05/28/2008 1:52:09 PM PDT by cripplecreek (I miss the days when only the politicians were unethical.)
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To: JRios1968

Why settle for the lesser of two evils?


10 posted on 05/28/2008 1:55:14 PM PDT by RightWhale (You are reading this now)
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To: sig226

God reigns!!


11 posted on 05/28/2008 2:07:33 PM PDT by Saundra Duffy (For victory & freedom!!!)
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To: RightWhale
That's what I say!


12 posted on 05/28/2008 2:29:28 PM PDT by JRios1968 ("If you go over a cliff with all flags flying, you are still going over a cliff"--Ronald Reagan)
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To: sig226
In comparison, however, these clouds are typically much less dense than Earth's atmosphere.

I'd hope so...300 light years of atmosphere if it was! Sign of the times that this has to be said, I guess, the basics aren't taught anymore.

13 posted on 05/28/2008 2:36:27 PM PDT by Partisan Gunslinger
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To: Partisan Gunslinger
Sign of the times that this has to be said, I guess, the basics aren't taught anymore.

No kidding, just watch the news sometime. The stuff they feel a need to explain is bad enough but the fact that they so often get it wrong is worse.
14 posted on 05/28/2008 2:56:22 PM PDT by cripplecreek (I miss the days when only the politicians were unethical.)
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To: sig226
Eta Carinae, the most energetic star in the nebula, was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but then faded dramatically.

This blows me away. You have to wonder how many other stars faded or brightened over several thousand years and changed the way humans viewed the night skies. How many constellations have come and gone, or at least changed "dramatically"?

15 posted on 05/28/2008 3:43:00 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: RightWhale

Giant Squid From Eta Carinae

I should have been s B movie producer.


16 posted on 05/28/2008 5:16:34 PM PDT by sig226 (Real power is not the ability to destroy an enemy. It is the willingness to do it.)
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To: sig226
...actually molecular clouds...

Oh, I see...clouds with molecules. Are there clouds without molecules? Does this "molecular" nomenclature provide helpful information, or is it just a big word the reporter who wrote this suddenly discovered?

17 posted on 05/28/2008 8:08:55 PM PDT by Rudder ("There is only one chief. Obey him." [Rush Limbaugh, April 30, 2008])
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To: sig226

I see a face in that formation.


18 posted on 05/28/2008 8:28:45 PM PDT by Peace Is Coming
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To: sig226; Salamander

“It’s full of stars.....”

(And home to the most foul, cruel and bad-tempered rodent, with a vicious streak a mile wide and nasty, big pointy teeth!)


19 posted on 05/28/2008 8:41:46 PM PDT by shibumi (".....panta en pasin....." - Origen)
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To: Rudder
"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."

The reporter is actually an astronomer.

20 posted on 05/29/2008 1:54:43 PM PDT by sig226 (Real power is not the ability to destroy an enemy. It is the willingness to do it.)
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