Posted on 08/04/2025 12:43:06 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: What are these gigantic blue arcs near the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)? Discovered in 2022 by amateur astronomers, the faint arcs -- dubbed SDSO 1 -- span nearly the same angular size as M31 itself. At first, their origin was a mystery: are they actually near the Andromeda Galaxy, or alternatively near to our Sun? Now, over 550 hours of combined exposure and a collaboration between amateur and professional astronomers has revealed strong evidence for their true nature: SDSO 1 is not intergalactic, but a new class of planetary nebula within our galaxy. Dubbed a Ghost Planetary Nebula (GPN), SDSO 1 is the first recognized member of a new subclass of faded planetary nebulas, along with seven others also recently identified. Shown in blue are extremely faint oxygen emission from the shock waves, while the surrounding red is a hydrogen-emitting trail that indicates the GPN's age.
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.
🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔
Orcs? I thought Gandalf and the boys finished off most of the orcs.
Oh, ARCS!
Well, that’s a relief.
Yes, in the immortal words of Bullwinkle the Moose, “Meeny meeny chili beanie the spirits are about to speak.”
The Great Feather Snatch of M31 Red Robin
It’s many amateur astronomers’ dream to discover something- a comet, an asteroid, a nova…to be part of a discovery is awesome. An amazing picture.
Dang - you revealed where he lives.
Now he'll never get the Klingons off his butt.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.