Posted on 09/07/2010 2:41:00 PM PDT by TaraP
The Hubble Space Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys has captured a remarkable image of a spiral in space. No, not a spiral galaxy, (and not another Norway Spiral!) but the formation of an unusual pre-planetary nebula in one of the most perfect geometrical spirals ever seen. The nebula, called IRAS 23166+1655, is forming around the star LL Pegasi (also known as AFGL 3068) in the constellation of Pegasus.
The image shows what appears to be a thin spiral pattern of amazing precision winding around the star, which is itself hidden behind thick dust. Mark Morris from UCLA and an international team of astronomers say that material forming the spiral is moving outwards at a speed of about 50,000 km/hour and by combining this speed with the distance between layers, they calculate that the shells are each separated by about 800 years. The spiral pattern suggests a regular periodic origin for the nebula’s shape, and astronomers believe that shape is forming because LL Pegasi is a binary star system.
One star is losing material as it and the companion star are orbiting each other. The spacing between layers in the spiral is expected to directly reflect the orbital period of the binary, which is estimated to be also about 800 years. A progression of quasi-concentric shells has been observed around a number of preplanetary nebulae, but this almost perfect spiral shape is unique. Morris and his team say that the structure of the AFGL 3068 envelope raises the possibility that binary companions are responsible for quasi-concentric shells in most or all of the systems in which they have been observed, and the lack of symmetry in the shells seen elsewhere can perhaps be attributed to orbital eccentricity, to different projections of the orbital planes, and to unfavorable illumination geometries. Additionally – and remarkably — this object may be illuminated by galactic light. This image appears like something from the famous "Starry Night" painting by Vincent van Gogh, and reveals what can occur with stars that have masses about half that of the Sun up to about eight times that of the Sun. They do not explode as supernovae at the ends of their lives, but instead can create these striking and intricate features as their outer layers of gas are shed and drift into space. This object is just starting this process and the central star has yet to emerge from the cocoon of enveloping dust.
The world comes to an end for someone every minute
of the day. The Universe too for that matter.
Wife just said that it looks like a black hole, I agree, although I must admit I have never seen a black hole.
I looked just west of Pegasus last Saturday night and took this picture of Planetary Nebula M-27.
9/4/10 - 2230hrs, 19x135s ISO800 w/6.3 focal reducer using CLS LP filters, mounted to a SCT.
This thing is approximately 1100 light years away...It's basically a star that blew it's outer shell away about 3500 years ago. The small star which can be seen in the very center of the nebula, is cause of this.
It is estimated the ejected gas from this dying star is expanding at a rate of about 17 miles per second.
Many astronomers believe the same thing will eventually happen to our own star.
Sometimes a perfect geometrical spiral is just a perfect geometrical spiral.
Really fascinating photo of a beautiful object, astrobiblical silliness aside.
Never have so many so dilegintly sought out, and asked questions with “spiritual eyes” and all got diffrent answers.
In general, I have to agree with you. Puh-leez.
Matthew 24:26 pretty much covers all the "false" prophets running around "knowing" this or that about what this sign is and what country is what animal...etc.
He specifically states that we are to do what you suggest. Live as if he comes at this very moment.
I am the worst Christian imaginable. I have pride, anger issues, am not charitable to people that I view as parasites, and on and on. But I do know that I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that I hope and pray nightly for help in getting back up and trying again.
I think a lot of the folks talking about the signs of the end times are too busy looking at signs for the coming apocalypse and not looking at themselves in order to avoid making the painful choice of giving God everything and trusting in him or just going part of the way and "bargaining" with the big guy that you will do this good deed and that good deed but still harbor hate, lust, pride or any of the normal sins that man has.
anyway I think you hit the ball out of the park with your post.
The big difference between the last 2,000 years and the last 60 years is the rebirth of Israel.
That’s amazing!
It’s interesting, Tara.
Thanks!
After processing the raw data, I was pretty happy with the shot.
Ok that’s fine. Lots of people who are dead now were looking for a 1988 roshashana thing to keep from having to experiance a dirt nap. But we shall see. When the good Lord comes a calling he won’t have to shout for me. But whether I’m alive on earth or elswhere doesn’t make a hill of beans to me.
Thank you. I agree with you as well. Focus on yourself, and your relationship to God and the Trinity, not the beast or the rockefellers or whatever gets cooked up.
Pam’s purple spyrograph is turning and turning
these visions in his mind are burning and burning
tracing tiny circles on his brain
longing for the day when he can finally kill the pain kill the pain kill the pain
INTERESTING.
THX.
ANOTHER SIGN IN THE HEAVENS.
John 1:51 is a prophesy of the transfiguration, not a reference to DNA. You really need to take into account context when you are trying to interpret Scripture.
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