Posted on 11/22/2020 1:56:58 PM PST by MtnClimber
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 here. 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 apod.nasa.gov ...
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then zoom by moving the magnifying glass over an area and then clicking. The side bars will move the zoomed area over the photograph.
What the dogs are puzzled about is “not known”.
There are three dogs to be found at the link today. Humor from the NASA folks.
Don’t eat the brown snow!
Pretty things~Belfast Cowboys/Bruise in the Sky
The brown dwarfs have been there.
I saw this in a couple of Star Trek episodes.
That’s my last name. 68 is an old great great great great great...etc. uncle.
He was known for his dark humor.
Andromeda Strain episode?
“Immunity Syndrome”
They finally found the Dark Matter...................
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