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Astronomy Picture of the Day - The Dark Tower in Scorpius
APOD.NASA.gov ^ | 15 Aug, 2021 | Image Credit & Copyright: Data - Martin Pugh, Processing - Rocco Sung

Posted on 07/15/2021 3:57:31 PM PDT by MtnClimber

Explanation: In silhouette against a crowded star field along the tail of the arachnalogical constellation Scorpius, this dusty cosmic cloud evokes for some the image of an ominous dark tower. In fact, clumps of dust and molecular gas collapsing to form stars may well lurk within the dark nebula, a structure that spans almost 40 light-years across this gorgeous telescopic portrait. Known as a cometary globule, the swept-back cloud, is shaped by intense ultraviolet radiation from the OB association of very hot stars in NGC 6231, off the upper edge of the scene. That energetic ultraviolet light also powers the globule's bordering reddish glow of hydrogen gas. Hot stars embedded in the dust can be seen as bluish reflection nebulae. This dark tower, NGC 6231, and associated nebulae are about 5,000 light-years away.


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: nasa
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For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.

1 posted on 07/15/2021 3:57:32 PM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

2 posted on 07/15/2021 3:57:57 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: 21stCenturion; 21twelve; 4everontheRight; abb; AFB-XYZ; America_Right; AZ .44 MAG; BBB333; ...
Pinging the APOD list.

🪐 🌟 🌌


3 posted on 07/15/2021 3:58:31 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: 21stCenturion; 21twelve; 4everontheRight; abb; AFB-XYZ; America_Right; AZ .44 MAG; BBB333; ...
Pinging the APOD list.

🪐 🌟 🌌


4 posted on 07/15/2021 3:58:32 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber
Why do dark towers always have a strong light at the top?
5 posted on 07/15/2021 4:15:49 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: MtnClimber

I bet Frodo is that bright white star half way down.
If we can get the ring from him before he destroys it, we can rule them all!!!


6 posted on 07/15/2021 4:17:51 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: MtnClimber

bttt


7 posted on 07/15/2021 4:18:58 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire. Or both.)
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To: DannyTN
Reflection off the palantir!

Mtn Climber, thanks for posting. A mysterious dark cloud in Scorpio!

8 posted on 07/15/2021 5:03:03 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( Sauron speaks with Palantir by Hive17 on DeviantArt hive17.deviantart.com)
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To: MtnClimber

Looks like a strawberry parfait.


9 posted on 07/15/2021 5:29:19 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer”)
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To: MtnClimber

Looking at it again. 40 Light years across. I can’t even conceive this distance.

Dark Angel of void!

(Yes I am anthropomorphizing over this massive dust cloud!)


10 posted on 07/15/2021 5:39:46 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: DannyTN

So the demons won’t fly into them, silly!...............


11 posted on 07/16/2021 5:22:59 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: MtnClimber

If you look closely at that pic, you can see C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate.


12 posted on 07/16/2021 5:27:55 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack
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