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Astronomy Picture of the Day - Barnard 68: Dark Molecular Cloud
APOD.NASA.gov ^ | 29 Jan, 2023 | Image Credit: FORS Team, 8.2-meter VLT Antu, ESO

Posted on 01/29/2023 12:35:28 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.


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 01/29/2023 12:35:28 PM PST by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

2 posted on 01/29/2023 12:35:44 PM PST 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; AFPhys; America_Right; AZ .44 MAG; ...
Pinging the APOD list.

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔


3 posted on 01/29/2023 12:36:32 PM PST 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

Amazing ✨


4 posted on 01/29/2023 12:37:51 PM PST by M_Continuum
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To: MtnClimber


Blnk
5 posted on 01/29/2023 2:47:30 PM PST by minnesota_bound (Need more money to buy everything now)
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To: MtnClimber

They found Dark Matter?........................


6 posted on 01/30/2023 5:06:38 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: M_Continuum

It’s Klingons or Romulans..............


7 posted on 01/30/2023 5:07:24 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Red Badger

I vote Klingons


8 posted on 01/30/2023 5:22:45 AM PST by M_Continuum
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