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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
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.)
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)
To: sig226
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. ;))
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)
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
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)
To: RightWhale
Yee haw Squidbillies
9
posted on
05/28/2008 1:52:09 PM PDT
by
cripplecreek
(I miss the days when only the politicians were unethical.)
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)
To: sig226
11
posted on
05/28/2008 2:07:33 PM PDT
by
Saundra Duffy
(For victory & freedom!!!)
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)
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.
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.)
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"?
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.)
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])
To: sig226
I see a face in that formation.
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)
To: Rudder
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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