Posted on 01/29/2012 9:56:22 AM PST by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Where did all the stars go? What used to be considered a hole in the sky is now known to astronomers as a dark molecular cloud. Here, a high concentration of dust and molecular gas absorb practically all the visible light emitted from background stars. The eerily dark surroundings help make the interiors of molecular clouds some of the coldest and most isolated places in the universe. One of the most notable of these dark absorption nebulae is a cloud toward the constellation Ophiuchus known as Barnard 68, pictured above. That no stars are visible in the center indicates that Barnard 68 is relatively nearby, with measurements placing it about 500 light-years away and half a light-year across. It is not known exactly how molecular clouds like Barnard 68 form, but it is known that these clouds are themselves likely places for new stars to form. In fact, Barnard 68 itself has been found likely to collapse and form a new star system. It is possible to look right through the cloud in infrared light.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit: FORS Team, 8.2-meter VLT Antu, ESO]
I’m calling it racist before anyone else does.
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It looks like Howard the Duck in profile.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I just witnessed the neuron activity of Obama’s Pea Brain when it come to thinking about doing the right thing for America.
Many of these photos make terrific desktop photos. I have them quite a few of them in a folder and the desktop photo changes every 15 minutes. It’s a constant reminder to me of how big God is and how small we are.
Verryyyyyy skeeeeryyy.....
Uh, I'd steer clear of this region...
Time is of no importance, only life is important.
Looks like the Coalsack.
That sound was turbulence caused by the penetration of a boundary layer. What boundary layer? Unknown. Boundary layer between what and what? Between where we were and where we are.
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