Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA ^ | 9/16/09 | John P. Gleason

Posted on 09/16/2009 10:04:11 AM PDT by sig226


The Tarantula Zone
Credit & Copyright:
John P. Gleason

Explanation: The Tarantula Nebula is more than 1,000 light-years in diameter -- a giant star forming region within our neighboring galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). That cosmic arachnid lies left of center in this sharp, colorful telescopic image taken through narrow-band filters. It covers a part of the LMC over 2,000 light-years across. Within the Tarantula (NGC 2070), intense radiation, stellar winds and supernova shocks from the central young cluster of massive stars, cataloged as R136, energize the nebular glow and shape the spidery filaments. Around the Tarantula are other violent star-forming regions with young star clusters, filaments and bubble-shaped clouds. The rich field is about as wide as the full Moon on the sky, located in the southern constellation Dorado.


TOPICS: Astronomy Picture of the Day
KEYWORDS: apod

1 posted on 09/16/2009 10:04:11 AM PDT by sig226
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: null and void; fnord; Number57; KevinDavis; rdb3; MNJohnnie; RightWhale; proudofthesouth; ...

2 posted on 09/16/2009 10:04:43 AM PDT by sig226 (Real power is not the ability to destroy an enemy. It is the willingness to do it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sig226

Truly beautiful. God’s handiwork ...creation.

Imagine the wonders of Heaven.

Amazing how we have these pictures from the Hubble telescope.


3 posted on 09/16/2009 10:25:19 AM PDT by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sig226

I like spiders, especially tarantulas. Here in Ohio, I miss the tarantula run every fall at Mount Diablo in Concord, CA.

Nice picture, pleasant memory.


4 posted on 09/16/2009 7:25:04 PM PDT by TheOldLady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson