Posted on 10/12/2015 8:13:17 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Is this galaxy trapped in a web of dust? No -- it is far in the background. However, spiky stars and spooky shapes are abound in this deep cosmic skyscape. Its well-composed field of view covers about a Full Moon on the sky toward the constellation Pegasus. Of course the brighter stars show diffraction spikes, the commonly seen effect of internal supports in reflecting telescopes, and lie well within our own Milky Way galaxy. The faint but pervasive clouds of interstellar dust ride above the galactic plane and dimly reflect the Milky Way's combined starlight. Known as high latitude cirrus or integrated flux nebulae they are associated with molecular clouds. In this case, the diffuse cloud cataloged as MBM 54, less than a thousand light-years distant, fills the scene. The galaxy seemingly tangled in the dust is the striking spiral galaxy NGC 7497 some 60 million light-years away. Seen almost edge-on near the center of the field, NGC 7497's own spiral arms and dust lanes echo the colors of the Milky Way's stars and dust.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit and Copyright: Eric Coles and Mel Helm]
Gasp!
A galaxy far, far away.
All we can really say is, perhaps some 60 million light-years ago it was.
Today, not so sure?
The web of dust is a mere 1,000 light years away, while the galaxy pictured is
60 million light years hence.
And yes, we are observing the galaxy NGC7497 as it was 60 million years ago.
And many thanks for the photo, Eric Coles and Mel Helm.
And most important, thank you for the post and ping, my dear Mr. Civilizations.
That means...
one tiny atom in my fingernail could be-
Could be one little...
tiny universe.
.
.
Could I buy some pot from you?
We don’t smoke, and we don’t chew, and we don’t go with the lads that do.***
And of course! You probably have a universe on your fingernail. Without a doubt!
But watch where you snip and clip your nails. ;-)
*** Haven’t smoked pot for 45 years, and haven’t smoked cigarettes for 25 years.
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