Posted on 03/27/2016 9:44:04 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: How massive can a normal star be? Estimates made from distance, brightness and standard solar models had given one star in the open cluster Pismis 24 over 200 times the mass of our Sun, making it one of the most massive stars known. This star is the brightest object located just above the gas front in the featured image. Close inspection of images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, however, have shown that Pismis 24-1 derives its brilliant luminosity not from a single star but from three at least. Component stars would still remain near 100 solar masses, making them among the more massive stars currently on record. Toward the bottom of the image, stars are still forming in the associated emission nebula NGC 6357. Appearing perhaps like a Gothic cathedral, energetic stars near the center appear to be breaking out and illuminating a spectacular cocoon.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit and Copyright: NASA, ESA and Jesús Maíz Apellániz (IAA, Spain); Acknowledgement: Davide De Martin (ESA/Hubble)]
Not so much The Big One as it is the Enormous One. You'll have to turn it 90° or crop it to make it usable as a wallpaper, I mean, it's that big!
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Da Vinci once wrote that he could see landscapes in the water marks on walls. I see things in photographs of stars and nebulae that Psychologists would love to evaluate.
So, seeing things, I wrote the following in an attempt to interest my daughter in astronomy when this picture was posted in 2012. I know this is not the sort of thing that you expected to receive as a reply, but I it was in my files and I do not anticipate ever (ever) having another opportunity to use this, sooo....
"This is a picture of clusters and flights of radiant blue and white Stars illumining a celestial lake. An audience of orange stars hang in the back ground. Some are traveling far away to other places. Sloping bluffs rise to the darkness on either side of the lake and a dolphin and water dragons are splashing in its waves! On the right shore of the lake a water dragon is climbing out to sun himself in the star shine!
At the bottom of the picture is a grotto on the lake shore. We see through the opening facing us a beautiful little sky blue star that lives in the grotto. On either side of the opening are vines, and above an enormous flower that has blossomed at its top. Around the back of the grotto are wrapped the hands of the angel of the nebula, holding and protecting the grotto. There is an opening at the top of
the grotto so the little star that lives in the grotto can see the other stars above. When the little star gets bigger, it will float up to join the cluster of stars that light the lake and another little star will take its place! A bird peers out from its nest on the floor of the cave.
On the top of the grotto is a watcher who watches over the little star as it grows. He is a happy giant with a long face and beard,and a pointed cap on his head. His eyes are closed and he is smiling. In his arms he cradles his pet cormorant that has been fishing in the lake. It holds a fish in its beak.
To his right is a Bunny-man who belongs to a tribe of bunny-men that lives along the shores of the lake.
He is holding his left ear with his hand. He is friends with the Star guardian and is keeping him company. Together they watch over the little star and enjoy its warmth.
At the bottom on the left is a gentle curious aardvark made of shadows. He investigates. A sleepy little red cat with a white face is on the bottom left. Above him is the face of a cow that looks at us. She provides milk for the little star, the cat, and the watchers to drink. Here and there little black bees float around the grotto. They collect pollen from the flower and make honey."
:’)
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