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Supernova 1987A before and after explosion - Supernova 1987A before and after the explosion - Images of the Supernova 1987A, on the left, obtained on March 8, 1987, and of the same photograph field on the right on February 5, 1984. Images obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation Doradus on February 23, 1987. Sometime during 23 February 1987 a supernova exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby galaxy. However, the LMC is about 170,000 light years distant, so the supernova exploded 170,000 years ago. It was discovered the following day and brightened rapidly to become the first supernova to be easily visible to the unaided eye for almost 400 years. This photograph shows the field around the site of the supernova in great detail, both before the supernova exploded (right) and about 10 days afterwards, when it was still brightening

Supernova 1987A before and after explosion - Supernova 1987A before and after the explosion - Images of the Supernova 1987A, on the left, obtained on March 8, 1987, and of the same photograph field on the right on February 5, 1984. Images obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation Doradus on February 23, 1987. Sometime during 23 February 1987 a supernova exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby galaxy. However, the LMC is about 170,000 light years distant, so the supernova exploded 170,000 years ago. It was discovered the following day and brightened rapidly to become the first supernova to be easily visible to the unaided eye for almost 400 years. This photograph shows the field around the site of the supernova in great detail, both before the supernova exploded (right) and about 10 days afterwards, when it was still brightening

PIX4582336

Tarantula Nebula and Supernova 1987A - The Tarantula Nebula and supernova 1987a in the LMC - Tarantula Nebula photographed in 1987, two weeks after the appearance of the 1987A supernova. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation Doradus on February 23, 1987. The brightest star in this picture is the first supernova to be visible to the unaided eye for almost 400 years. It occured in a region rich in young, blue stars and it was one of these which destroyed itself. When this picture was taken, about 2 weeks after the supernova was discovered, at the end of February, 1987, the expanding shell of material had already changed from blue to orange - red as it cooled. The location of the supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) means that it can only be seen from the southern hemisphere

Tarantula Nebula and Supernova 1987A - The Tarantula Nebula and supernova 1987a in the LMC - Tarantula Nebula photographed in 1987, two weeks after the appearance of the 1987A supernova. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Supernova 1987A appeared in the constellation Doradus on February 23, 1987. The brightest star in this picture is the first supernova to be visible to the unaided eye for almost 400 years. It occured in a region rich in young, blue stars and it was one of these which destroyed itself. When this picture was taken, about 2 weeks after the supernova was discovered, at the end of February, 1987, the expanding shell of material had already changed from blue to orange - red as it cooled. The location of the supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) means that it can only be seen from the southern hemisphere

PIX4582389

Remains of the supernova of the Sails - Detail - Vela supernova remnant. Detail - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. A supernova event marks the catastrophic end - point in the life of a massive star. The self - destruction of the star releases a huge amount of energy as radiation of all kinds, but a substantial fraction of the force of the explosion blasts the outer part of the supernova into an expanding shell of matter that travels through the almost empty space between the stars. As the rapidly moving blast wave encounters the relatively stationary interstellar medium it creates a very narrow, luminous shock front that appears as a faint nebula. Because the shock front is very convoluted the nebulosity appears to be highly structured and the various colours define different energy levels within the interaction. Although the star responsible for the Vela supernova remnant exploded 12,000 years ago, it is still affecting its env

Remains of the supernova of the Sails - Detail - Vela supernova remnant. Detail - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. A supernova event marks the catastrophic end - point in the life of a massive star. The self - destruction of the star releases a huge amount of energy as radiation of all kinds, but a substantial fraction of the force of the explosion blasts the outer part of the supernova into an expanding shell of matter that travels through the almost empty space between the stars. As the rapidly moving blast wave encounters the relatively stationary interstellar medium it creates a very narrow, luminous shock front that appears as a faint nebula. Because the shock front is very convoluted the nebulosity appears to be highly structured and the various colours define different energy levels within the interaction. Although the star responsible for the Vela supernova remnant exploded 12,000 years ago, it is still affecting its env

PIX4582820

Remains of the supernova of the Sails - Detail - Vela supernova remnant. Detail - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. The line that crosses the image is the trace left by the passage of a satellite during the photo shoot. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. A supernova event marks the catastrophic end - point in the life of a massive star. The self - destruction of the star releases a huge amount of energy as radiation of all kinds, but a substantial fraction of the force of the explosion blasts the outer part of the supernova into an expanding shell of matter that travels through the almost empty space between the stars. As the rapidly moving blast wave encounters the relatively stationary interstellar medium it creates a very narrow, luminous shock front that appears as a faint nebula. Because the shock front is very convoluted the nebulosity appears to be highly structured and the various colours define different

Remains of the supernova of the Sails - Detail - Vela supernova remnant. Detail - Detail of the rest of the supernova of the Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago. The line that crosses the image is the trace left by the passage of a satellite during the photo shoot. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. A supernova event marks the catastrophic end - point in the life of a massive star. The self - destruction of the star releases a huge amount of energy as radiation of all kinds, but a substantial fraction of the force of the explosion blasts the outer part of the supernova into an expanding shell of matter that travels through the almost empty space between the stars. As the rapidly moving blast wave encounters the relatively stationary interstellar medium it creates a very narrow, luminous shock front that appears as a faint nebula. Because the shock front is very convoluted the nebulosity appears to be highly structured and the various colours define different

PIX4582923

Central region of the elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - Central part of the galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. The green dot visible in the dust strip is a supernova, the supernova 1986g. It appears green because the red filter image that made this trichromy image was only taken a year after the event and the supernova had weakened. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. The nearby radio source Centaurus A (NGC 5128) looks like an elliptical galaxy, crossed by a broad, irregular dust lane. The dark band is probably the remains of a dusty spiral galaxy which is being absorbed by the giant elliptical. One

Central region of the elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - Central part of the galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. A broad dark band crosses it in the middle, a probable vestige of a collision with a spiral galaxy. This giant galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. The green dot visible in the dust strip is a supernova, the supernova 1986g. It appears green because the red filter image that made this trichromy image was only taken a year after the event and the supernova had weakened. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring, Australia. The nearby radio source Centaurus A (NGC 5128) looks like an elliptical galaxy, crossed by a broad, irregular dust lane. The dark band is probably the remains of a dusty spiral galaxy which is being absorbed by the giant elliptical. One

PIX4612262

Leo 1 dwarf galaxy in the Lion - Leo 1 dwarf galaxy - Leo 1 is located about 900,000 light years from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. It has only been known since the 1950s; it is difficult to observe due to the proximity of the Regulus star, thousands of times brighter. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring. The 'Local Group' of galaxies, to which the Milky Way belongs, contains more dwarf galaxies than any other type. The low surface brightness and lack of bright stars makes them difficult to study, even with a large telescope. Leo I presents particular problems because the galaxy appears only 20 arc minutes (less than the apparent diameter of the Moon) from the brilliant star Regulus and special precautions had to be taken to prevent scattered light from the star obliterating its feeble image. The plates from which this picture was made (the first in colour of a dwarf elliptical galaxy) will be used to learn more abou

Leo 1 dwarf galaxy in the Lion - Leo 1 dwarf galaxy - Leo 1 is located about 900,000 light years from Earth. It belongs to the local group, just like our galaxy or Andromede galaxy. It has only been known since the 1950s; it is difficult to observe due to the proximity of the Regulus star, thousands of times brighter. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring. The 'Local Group' of galaxies, to which the Milky Way belongs, contains more dwarf galaxies than any other type. The low surface brightness and lack of bright stars makes them difficult to study, even with a large telescope. Leo I presents particular problems because the galaxy appears only 20 arc minutes (less than the apparent diameter of the Moon) from the brilliant star Regulus and special precautions had to be taken to prevent scattered light from the star obliterating its feeble image. The plates from which this picture was made (the first in colour of a dwarf elliptical galaxy) will be used to learn more abou

PIX4613932

Spiral galaxy of Sombrero M104 in the Virgin - The Sombrero galaxy (M104) in Virgo - Image of the spiral galaxy M104 (Sombrero galaxy), located about 28 million years ago - light. Image obtained with the 3.9m Anglo - Australian Telescope from Siding Spring. The Sombrero, named after the broad - brimmed Mexican hat it superficially resembles, is probably the most famous galaxy in the sky. The light from this remarkable spiral system is dominated by the billions of old, faint stars that form the vast 'bulge' around its tiny hidden nucleus. Most spirals, including the Milky Way, have clouds of old, faint stars around their nuclei, but in M104 the galaxy's light is dominated by them. This effect is enhanced because disk of the galaxy is seen nearly edge - on and dust in its outer parts is in silhouette as it crosses the picture. The galaxy is about 28 million light years distant

Spiral galaxy of Sombrero M104 in the Virgin - The Sombrero galaxy (M104) in Virgo - Image of the spiral galaxy M104 (Sombrero galaxy), located about 28 million years ago - light. Image obtained with the 3.9m Anglo - Australian Telescope from Siding Spring. The Sombrero, named after the broad - brimmed Mexican hat it superficially resembles, is probably the most famous galaxy in the sky. The light from this remarkable spiral system is dominated by the billions of old, faint stars that form the vast 'bulge' around its tiny hidden nucleus. Most spirals, including the Milky Way, have clouds of old, faint stars around their nuclei, but in M104 the galaxy's light is dominated by them. This effect is enhanced because disk of the galaxy is seen nearly edge - on and dust in its outer parts is in silhouette as it crosses the picture. The galaxy is about 28 million light years distant

PIX4611600

Around the Tarantula Nebula - Around the Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud - The Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070, is a vast star-forming region located north of the Great Magellan Cloud galaxy in the southern hemisphere about 170,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Known as the Tarantula Nebula for its spidery appearance, the 30 Doradus complex is a monstrous stellar factory. It is the largest emission nebula in the sky, and can be seen far down in the southern sky at a distance of about 170,000 light - years, in the southern constellation Dorado. It is part of one of the Milky Way's neighbouring galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Tarantula Nebula contains some of the most massive stars known

Around the Tarantula Nebula - Around the Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud - The Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070, is a vast star-forming region located north of the Great Magellan Cloud galaxy in the southern hemisphere about 170,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Known as the Tarantula Nebula for its spidery appearance, the 30 Doradus complex is a monstrous stellar factory. It is the largest emission nebula in the sky, and can be seen far down in the southern sky at a distance of about 170,000 light - years, in the southern constellation Dorado. It is part of one of the Milky Way's neighbouring galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Tarantula Nebula contains some of the most massive stars known

PIX4618312

The Rosette Nebula in the Unicorn - The Rosette Nebula and NGC 2244 cluster - The Rosette Nebula is a vast cloud of dust and gas located about 5500 years from Earth. Towards the center of the nebula, a cluster of blue stars, NGC 2244 formed less than a million years ago. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. The Rosette Nebula exhibits a striking circular symmetry which gives it the appearance of a partly opened rose, an allusion further enhanced by the rich red hues seen in this colour photograph. Near the centre of the nebula is a cluster of blue stars catalogued as NGC 2244. These stars are responsible for making the nebula visible and for creating the hollowed - out central cavity. This cluster of stars formed from the gas which now surrounds it less than a million years ago and is thus very young on the cosmic timescale. The gas and dust at the centre of the nebula have been forced away from the bright stars by radiation pressure and the intense stell

The Rosette Nebula in the Unicorn - The Rosette Nebula and NGC 2244 cluster - The Rosette Nebula is a vast cloud of dust and gas located about 5500 years from Earth. Towards the center of the nebula, a cluster of blue stars, NGC 2244 formed less than a million years ago. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. The Rosette Nebula exhibits a striking circular symmetry which gives it the appearance of a partly opened rose, an allusion further enhanced by the rich red hues seen in this colour photograph. Near the centre of the nebula is a cluster of blue stars catalogued as NGC 2244. These stars are responsible for making the nebula visible and for creating the hollowed - out central cavity. This cluster of stars formed from the gas which now surrounds it less than a million years ago and is thus very young on the cosmic timescale. The gas and dust at the centre of the nebula have been forced away from the bright stars by radiation pressure and the intense stell

PIX4618445

Nebulae NGC 1973 - 1975 - 1977 in Orion - The reflection nebulae NGC 1973 - 75 - 77 in Orion - Reflection nebulae located just north of the Great Orion Nebula. This group of nebulous stars is just half a degree north of the much brighter Orion Nebula and has largely been ignored because of it. The group of stars here appear as a single star to the unaided eye, the northernmost 'star' in the sword of Orion. Most of the blue nebulosity is starlight scattered by dust, while some of the stars are sufficiently hot to excite the wisps of hydrogen that linger here and create a distinctive red glow

Nebulae NGC 1973 - 1975 - 1977 in Orion - The reflection nebulae NGC 1973 - 75 - 77 in Orion - Reflection nebulae located just north of the Great Orion Nebula. This group of nebulous stars is just half a degree north of the much brighter Orion Nebula and has largely been ignored because of it. The group of stars here appear as a single star to the unaided eye, the northernmost 'star' in the sword of Orion. Most of the blue nebulosity is starlight scattered by dust, while some of the stars are sufficiently hot to excite the wisps of hydrogen that linger here and create a distinctive red glow

PIX4618057

Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - View of the Omega nebula (M17/NGC 6618) located in the constellation Sagittarius at a distance of 5700 light years. This object derives its name from its looped shape reminiscent of the Greek letter when the nebula is seen in a telescope. The gas cloud is unusual in that it does not appear to be illuminated by the bright stars that commonly found in emission nebulae such as this. However, the nebulosity is very bright, so the exciting stars must be hidden within the cloud, an idea confirmed by the infrared brightness of the nebula. As well as exciting the nebula we can see, the embedded stars heat the dust that surrounds them, so M17 is one of the brightest objects in the infrared sky. It is about 6000 light years distant

Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius - View of the Omega nebula (M17/NGC 6618) located in the constellation Sagittarius at a distance of 5700 light years. This object derives its name from its looped shape reminiscent of the Greek letter when the nebula is seen in a telescope. The gas cloud is unusual in that it does not appear to be illuminated by the bright stars that commonly found in emission nebulae such as this. However, the nebulosity is very bright, so the exciting stars must be hidden within the cloud, an idea confirmed by the infrared brightness of the nebula. As well as exciting the nebula we can see, the embedded stars heat the dust that surrounds them, so M17 is one of the brightest objects in the infrared sky. It is about 6000 light years distant

PIX4620118

Horse's Head Nebula (IC 434) in Orion - Horsehead nebula in Orion - The horse's head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emitting nebula about 1500 years - light of the Earth in the constellation Orion. At the bottom left, the nebula NGC 2024 with just above the star Alnitak, a supergiant star belonging to the Baudrier of Orion. Towards the center of the image, a reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. This distinctive red emission nebula (IC 434) is the result of radiation from sigma Orionis interacting with the surface of a dusty cloud of gas from which projects the dark shape of the head of a horse. Sigma is the second brightest star in the picture and is at about the same distance from the Sun as the nebula. The brightest star here is zeta Orionis, easily visible to the unaided eye as the easternmost star in the line of three which form Orion's Belt. Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) is a supergiant star

Horse's Head Nebula (IC 434) in Orion - Horsehead nebula in Orion - The horse's head nebula, Barnard 33, is a dark nebula located in front of the IC 434 emitting nebula about 1500 years - light of the Earth in the constellation Orion. At the bottom left, the nebula NGC 2024 with just above the star Alnitak, a supergiant star belonging to the Baudrier of Orion. Towards the center of the image, a reflexion nebula, NGC 2023. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. This distinctive red emission nebula (IC 434) is the result of radiation from sigma Orionis interacting with the surface of a dusty cloud of gas from which projects the dark shape of the head of a horse. Sigma is the second brightest star in the picture and is at about the same distance from the Sun as the nebula. The brightest star here is zeta Orionis, easily visible to the unaided eye as the easternmost star in the line of three which form Orion's Belt. Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) is a supergiant star

PIX4621983

Old open cluster NGC 2818 and planetary nebula NGC 2818A - Old Open cluster NGC 2818 and planetary nebula in Pyxis - The open cluster NGC 2818 in the southern constellation of the Compsole is distinguished by the fact that most of its bright stars have already become supernovae; this indicates that this cluster must be very old, perhaps a billion years. It has a planetary nebula, NGC 2818A, a star at the end of life. These objects are located approximately 10,000 light years away from Earth. The open cluster NGC 2818 is not very conspicuous because most of the brilliant, massive stars that normally distinguish such groupings have vanished as supernovae, indicating that the cluster is quite mature. The massive stars dominating the scene in young clusters leaving the fainter, long - lived stars behind. Eventually, they too come to the end of their lives, throwing off their outer layers as planetary nebulae. This one, identified as NGC 2818A, is particularly graceful, and its existence su

Old open cluster NGC 2818 and planetary nebula NGC 2818A - Old Open cluster NGC 2818 and planetary nebula in Pyxis - The open cluster NGC 2818 in the southern constellation of the Compsole is distinguished by the fact that most of its bright stars have already become supernovae; this indicates that this cluster must be very old, perhaps a billion years. It has a planetary nebula, NGC 2818A, a star at the end of life. These objects are located approximately 10,000 light years away from Earth. The open cluster NGC 2818 is not very conspicuous because most of the brilliant, massive stars that normally distinguish such groupings have vanished as supernovae, indicating that the cluster is quite mature. The massive stars dominating the scene in young clusters leaving the fainter, long - lived stars behind. Eventually, they too come to the end of their lives, throwing off their outer layers as planetary nebulae. This one, identified as NGC 2818A, is particularly graceful, and its existence su

PIX4622981

Planetary nebula NGC 5189 in the Fly - NGC 5189, a weird planetary nebula - This nebula is located about 3000 years from Earth in the southern constellation of Fly. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring The peculiarity of NGC 5189 lies in its astonishingly complex structure, first noted by Sir John Herschel, who discovered it in 1835. Seen through the telescope it seems to have an 'S' shape, reminiscent of a barred spiral galaxy, hence its popular name. This is seen in the colour photograph as the central greenish part. Deep photographs such as this show many filaments, rather more reminiscent of the Crab nebula, a supernova remnant, than a planetary nebula. Unlike the Crab nebula, NGC 5189 is remarkably symmetrical. Distances to planetary nebulae are notoriously difficult to measure, but this one is estimated to be about 3000 light years away

Planetary nebula NGC 5189 in the Fly - NGC 5189, a weird planetary nebula - This nebula is located about 3000 years from Earth in the southern constellation of Fly. Image obtained from the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring The peculiarity of NGC 5189 lies in its astonishingly complex structure, first noted by Sir John Herschel, who discovered it in 1835. Seen through the telescope it seems to have an 'S' shape, reminiscent of a barred spiral galaxy, hence its popular name. This is seen in the colour photograph as the central greenish part. Deep photographs such as this show many filaments, rather more reminiscent of the Crab nebula, a supernova remnant, than a planetary nebula. Unlike the Crab nebula, NGC 5189 is remarkably symmetrical. Distances to planetary nebulae are notoriously difficult to measure, but this one is estimated to be about 3000 light years away

PIX4623110

Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. The greenish middle portion is evidence of excited oxygen atoms, while the outer red is predominantly light from nitrogen and hydrogen. The smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance) and they give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. The greenish middle portion is evidence of excited oxygen atoms, while the outer red is predominantly light from nitrogen and hydrogen. The smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance) and they give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

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Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. The greenish middle portion is evidence of excited oxygen atoms, while the outer red is predominantly light from nitrogen and hydrogen. The smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance) and they give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) in Aquarius - Planetary nebula Helix (NGC 7293) - This nebula is located 690 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope This faint object is the nearest planetary nebula to the Sun and on deep photographs has a diameter of about half a degree - - the same apparent size as the Sun in the sky. The AAT colour picture shows the brighter parts of the nebula, revealing various ionization levels within the shell of matter ejected from the central star. The greenish middle portion is evidence of excited oxygen atoms, while the outer red is predominantly light from nitrogen and hydrogen. The smallest of the radial blobs inside the red shell are about 150 astronomical units across (150 times the Earth - Sun distance) and they give this beautiful object its alternative name, the Sunflower Nebula. The Helix is about 400 light years away, or about 100 times more distant than the nearest stars

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Spiral Galaxy M66 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy M66 in Leo - M 66 (NGC 3627) is a spiral galaxy located at a distance of about 35 million years - light. M66, with its neighbors M65 and NGC 3628, forms a remarkable triplet of galaxies, called the Lion Triplet or the M66 Group. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. M66 is a dusty spiral galaxy, and is a member of the same compact group of galaxies as M65 and NGC 3628. The striking symmetry of M65 is lacking, and the central bulge, though large, is less well defined. The spiral arms are very easy to see, but seem distorted and displaced above the plane of the galaxy, probably a result of interactions with its neighbours. Much more dust is visible here as well as a few pink nebulae, signs of star formation, near the end of one of the arms

Spiral Galaxy M66 in the Lion - Spiral galaxy M66 in Leo - M 66 (NGC 3627) is a spiral galaxy located at a distance of about 35 million years - light. M66, with its neighbors M65 and NGC 3628, forms a remarkable triplet of galaxies, called the Lion Triplet or the M66 Group. Image obtained with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. M66 is a dusty spiral galaxy, and is a member of the same compact group of galaxies as M65 and NGC 3628. The striking symmetry of M65 is lacking, and the central bulge, though large, is less well defined. The spiral arms are very easy to see, but seem distorted and displaced above the plane of the galaxy, probably a result of interactions with its neighbours. Much more dust is visible here as well as a few pink nebulae, signs of star formation, near the end of one of the arms

PIX4610845

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in Fornax - NGC 1365 is a barree spiral galaxy that extends over 200,000 years - light. Located 60 million years ago - light, it belongs to the cluster of galaxies of the Furnace. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1365, the largest spiral in the southern constellation of Fornax, is located at a distance of about 60 million light years. This beautiful galaxy is about as massive as the Milky Way, itself a substantial galaxy. Not much is known about how galaxies take on their beautiful forms, but a good deal is known about their internal organisation. The obvious 'bar' has the nucleus of the galaxy at its hub and is surrounded by masses of cooler stars that appear yellow on colour photographs. The bar itself is also yellowish, and has distinct dust lanes but it terminates abruptly in slender, curved arms that are lit by blue stars and the pink star - forming regions from which they spring

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in the Furnace - Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 in Fornax - NGC 1365 is a barree spiral galaxy that extends over 200,000 years - light. Located 60 million years ago - light, it belongs to the cluster of galaxies of the Furnace. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 1365, the largest spiral in the southern constellation of Fornax, is located at a distance of about 60 million light years. This beautiful galaxy is about as massive as the Milky Way, itself a substantial galaxy. Not much is known about how galaxies take on their beautiful forms, but a good deal is known about their internal organisation. The obvious 'bar' has the nucleus of the galaxy at its hub and is surrounded by masses of cooler stars that appear yellow on colour photographs. The bar itself is also yellowish, and has distinct dust lanes but it terminates abruptly in slender, curved arms that are lit by blue stars and the pink star - forming regions from which they spring

PIX4609870

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 2442 in Flying Fish - NGC 2442, a barred spiral galaxy in Volans - NGC 2442 is a barree spiral galaxy located about 50 million years ago - light. Its asymmetrical shape suggests that a galaxy interacts with it. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This unusual barred spiral galaxy is in the far southern constellation of Volans and was discovered by Sir John Herschel who described one of its spiral arms as hook - like. Although not seen here, (but evident on very deep images) NGC 2442 appears to have a less massive, distant companion that is also distorted, and it seems likely that the two have had a close encounter in the recent past. If there are no further meetings, the forces that hold NGC 2442 together will restore galaxy to a more symmetrical spiral form. However, much more likely is that the companion has been captured by the distorted spiral and will eventually be devoured by it, triggering a dramatic bout of star formation. NGC 2442 is about

Barree spiral galaxy NGC 2442 in Flying Fish - NGC 2442, a barred spiral galaxy in Volans - NGC 2442 is a barree spiral galaxy located about 50 million years ago - light. Its asymmetrical shape suggests that a galaxy interacts with it. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This unusual barred spiral galaxy is in the far southern constellation of Volans and was discovered by Sir John Herschel who described one of its spiral arms as hook - like. Although not seen here, (but evident on very deep images) NGC 2442 appears to have a less massive, distant companion that is also distorted, and it seems likely that the two have had a close encounter in the recent past. If there are no further meetings, the forces that hold NGC 2442 together will restore galaxy to a more symmetrical spiral form. However, much more likely is that the companion has been captured by the distorted spiral and will eventually be devoured by it, triggering a dramatic bout of star formation. NGC 2442 is about

PIX4610090

Galaxy NGC 4027 in the Raven - Galaxy NGC 4027 in Corvus - NGC 4027 is a spiral galaxy located about 80 million years ago - light. One of his arms is more extended, probably by the presence of a nearby dwarf galaxy. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This galaxy is of interest because of its similarity to the Large Magellanic Cloud, (LMC) our nearest extra - galactic neighbour. Like the LMC, its light comes predominantly from young stars, which are hotter than the Sun and give the galaxy a bluish colour. However, because this galaxy is over 80 million light - years distant we see only the integrated light of millions of unresolved stars, rather than the individuals we see in the LMC. NGC 4027 has a somewhat distorted appearance and an elongated spiral arm, probably due to the gravitational effect of a smaller companion galaxy, not visible in this photograph but rather obvious on a much deeper image. NGC 4027 is less than half a degree south of the Antennae interacting gala

Galaxy NGC 4027 in the Raven - Galaxy NGC 4027 in Corvus - NGC 4027 is a spiral galaxy located about 80 million years ago - light. One of his arms is more extended, probably by the presence of a nearby dwarf galaxy. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. This galaxy is of interest because of its similarity to the Large Magellanic Cloud, (LMC) our nearest extra - galactic neighbour. Like the LMC, its light comes predominantly from young stars, which are hotter than the Sun and give the galaxy a bluish colour. However, because this galaxy is over 80 million light - years distant we see only the integrated light of millions of unresolved stars, rather than the individuals we see in the LMC. NGC 4027 has a somewhat distorted appearance and an elongated spiral arm, probably due to the gravitational effect of a smaller companion galaxy, not visible in this photograph but rather obvious on a much deeper image. NGC 4027 is less than half a degree south of the Antennae interacting gala

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Spiral Galaxy M100 in Berenice's Hair - Spiral galaxy M100 in Coma Berenices - The spiral galaxy M100 is located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the Virgin's galaxy cluster. Several dwarf elliptic galaxies are visible in this image, one just above M100 probably interacting. This image was obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. In this deep image fainter galaxies appear. One seems to be involved with the faint outskirts of the large spiral. The somewhat distorted shape of the dwarf galaxy suggests it could be both influencing and being influenced by M100, and may be the cause of the asymmetry in the spiral arms. Nearby is an even fainter, elongated dwarf galaxy and elsewhere in the picture are several others, all probably members of the Virgo cluster, which spills over into the adjoining constellation of Coma Berenices

Spiral Galaxy M100 in Berenice's Hair - Spiral galaxy M100 in Coma Berenices - The spiral galaxy M100 is located about 60 million years ago - light from Earth. It belongs to the Virgin's galaxy cluster. Several dwarf elliptic galaxies are visible in this image, one just above M100 probably interacting. This image was obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. In this deep image fainter galaxies appear. One seems to be involved with the faint outskirts of the large spiral. The somewhat distorted shape of the dwarf galaxy suggests it could be both influencing and being influenced by M100, and may be the cause of the asymmetry in the spiral arms. Nearby is an even fainter, elongated dwarf galaxy and elsewhere in the picture are several others, all probably members of the Virgo cluster, which spills over into the adjoining constellation of Coma Berenices

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Nebula of the cone NGC 2264 and S star Monocerotis - NGC 2264 and S Monocerotis - Region H II located about 2600 years - light from Earth. The bright star is S Monocerotis, a star of magnitude 4.7. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The region around the 4.7 magnitude star S Mon is a fascinating mixture of red fluorescent hydrogen and dark, obscuring dust lanes. Some dust patches are close enough to bright stars to reflect light from them; these appear blue for the same reason that the day - time sky is blue - because some of the interstellar particles preferentially scatter blue light. Some of the wispy tendrils of nebulosity are Herbig - Haro objects, jets of matter ejected from newly - formed stars still hidden within the nebula. About 250 stars have been recognised as members of NGC 2264 which is at a distance of about 2700 light years

Nebula of the cone NGC 2264 and S star Monocerotis - NGC 2264 and S Monocerotis - Region H II located about 2600 years - light from Earth. The bright star is S Monocerotis, a star of magnitude 4.7. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The region around the 4.7 magnitude star S Mon is a fascinating mixture of red fluorescent hydrogen and dark, obscuring dust lanes. Some dust patches are close enough to bright stars to reflect light from them; these appear blue for the same reason that the day - time sky is blue - because some of the interstellar particles preferentially scatter blue light. Some of the wispy tendrils of nebulosity are Herbig - Haro objects, jets of matter ejected from newly - formed stars still hidden within the nebula. About 250 stars have been recognised as members of NGC 2264 which is at a distance of about 2700 light years

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Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - The Carina nebula - The Carene nebula is located about 8000 years from the Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the massive star Eta Carinae in the centre of the nebula. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. Although no bright naked - eye stars are associated with the Carina nebula now, 150 years ago there blazed forth here one of the most unusual and peculiar stars ever seen. The star is known as Eta Carinae and for a few months in 1843 it was the second or third brightest star in the sky. Since then it has faded and is today about 1000 times fainter than it was at its brightest as the nebula it created during its outburst has cooled and become opaque. The whole region around Eta Carinae is rich in hot stars of which Eta is an extreme example and it is their combined radiation that produces the spectacular Carina nebula that dominates this picture. The nebula and its peculiar star are about 8000 light years away

Nebula NGC 3372 in the Carene - The Carina nebula - The Carene nebula is located about 8000 years from the Earth. It is home to many hot stars, including the massive star Eta Carinae in the centre of the nebula. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. Although no bright naked - eye stars are associated with the Carina nebula now, 150 years ago there blazed forth here one of the most unusual and peculiar stars ever seen. The star is known as Eta Carinae and for a few months in 1843 it was the second or third brightest star in the sky. Since then it has faded and is today about 1000 times fainter than it was at its brightest as the nebula it created during its outburst has cooled and become opaque. The whole region around Eta Carinae is rich in hot stars of which Eta is an extreme example and it is their combined radiation that produces the spectacular Carina nebula that dominates this picture. The nebula and its peculiar star are about 8000 light years away

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Nebula NGC 6188 in the Altar - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 light years from Earth. It is home to a cluster of young stars NGC 6193, formed three million years ago. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope

Nebula NGC 6188 in the Altar - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 light years from Earth. It is home to a cluster of young stars NGC 6193, formed three million years ago. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope

PIX4619247

Nebula by reflexion in NGC 6188 in the Altar - Reflection nebula in NGC 6188 in Ara - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The fainter stars here are cool, like those that orbit the inner 'bulge' of the Milky Way and appear slightly yellow on colour pictures. The foreground patch of dust that crosses this photograph must be illuminated by energetic radiation from stars that are much hotter than those in the background because hydrogen, which is associated with the dust, has been excited into a vivid red fluorescence by absorbing the invisible ultraviolet light. Here and there a few bright but cooler stars are caught up in the outskirts of dust clouds and some of their light is scattered to produce the blue reflection nebulae

Nebula by reflexion in NGC 6188 in the Altar - Reflection nebula in NGC 6188 in Ara - Nebula NGC 6188 is located about 4000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The fainter stars here are cool, like those that orbit the inner 'bulge' of the Milky Way and appear slightly yellow on colour pictures. The foreground patch of dust that crosses this photograph must be illuminated by energetic radiation from stars that are much hotter than those in the background because hydrogen, which is associated with the dust, has been excited into a vivid red fluorescence by absorbing the invisible ultraviolet light. Here and there a few bright but cooler stars are caught up in the outskirts of dust clouds and some of their light is scattered to produce the blue reflection nebulae

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Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpio - Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpius - These nebulae are located approximately 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 show no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. These nebulae are quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Ca

Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpio - Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpius - These nebulae are located approximately 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 show no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. These nebulae are quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Ca

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Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20/NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The spectacular Trifid nebula (Messier 20) is one of the best known in the sky. It is a striking mixture of brilliant red light emitted from excited hydrogen gas and the soft blue glow of a reflection nebula. The blue arises from starlight, scattered by dust particles between the stars. The size of the particles is minute, similar to those of smoke, which also has a bluish hue. However, the scattered light is not a pure blue, and if we see it through a medium that is yellow (i.e. absorbs blue light) some green colouration remains. This effect can be seen in some of the darker parts of the faint reflection nebula that surrounds the Trifid, where partial absorption of light by foreground dust provides a yellow 'filte

Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20/NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. The spectacular Trifid nebula (Messier 20) is one of the best known in the sky. It is a striking mixture of brilliant red light emitted from excited hydrogen gas and the soft blue glow of a reflection nebula. The blue arises from starlight, scattered by dust particles between the stars. The size of the particles is minute, similar to those of smoke, which also has a bluish hue. However, the scattered light is not a pure blue, and if we see it through a medium that is yellow (i.e. absorbs blue light) some green colouration remains. This effect can be seen in some of the darker parts of the faint reflection nebula that surrounds the Trifid, where partial absorption of light by foreground dust provides a yellow 'filte

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Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20 or NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Trifid nebula is located in Sagittarius constellation between 5000 and 10 000 light - years away. Stars, the Sun included, were born within clouds of dusty gas such as the Trifid Nebula. Within it a number of young hot stars have already formed. The hottest cause the gas, mostly hydrogen, to emit its characteristic red light. Around the red emission nebula the gas contains many dust grains which preferentially reflect the blue component of starlight, and to the north (top) of the nebula can be seen a bright star which illuminates part of the dust to create a region of blue reflection. In some parts of the nebula there are so many dust grains that they hide the glowing gas, producing the three dark lanes which gi

Nebula Trifide (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius - Trifid nebula (M20) in Sagittarius - View of the Trifide nebula (M20 or NGC 6514) located in the constellation Sagittarius between 5000 and 10,000 years - light from Earth. Image obtained by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Trifid nebula is located in Sagittarius constellation between 5000 and 10 000 light - years away. Stars, the Sun included, were born within clouds of dusty gas such as the Trifid Nebula. Within it a number of young hot stars have already formed. The hottest cause the gas, mostly hydrogen, to emit its characteristic red light. Around the red emission nebula the gas contains many dust grains which preferentially reflect the blue component of starlight, and to the north (top) of the nebula can be seen a bright star which illuminates part of the dust to create a region of blue reflection. In some parts of the nebula there are so many dust grains that they hide the glowing gas, producing the three dark lanes which gi

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Nebulae IC 1283 - 84 and NGC 6589 - 90 in Sagittarius - Nebulosity in Sagittarius, NGC 6589 - 90 - These nebulae are located in Sagittarius at a distance of about 5900 light years from Earth. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Our view towards the centre of the Galaxy is obscured by extensive clouds of interstellar dust in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius. The large - scale, patchy nature of the obscuration can be seen with the unaided eye and it is evident on smaller scales from the uneven distribution of background stars across this picture. Light from bright stars within the dust produces the two blue reflection nebulae (NGC 6589 and 6590), and these stars are members of a loose open cluster of stars, NGC 6595 (Sharpless 37) which is at a distance of about 5,900 light years. A large, almost transparent cloud of hydrogen, mixed with traces of dust, glows with a characteristic magenta hue over most of the field of view. This is known as IC 1283, 1284 and

Nebulae IC 1283 - 84 and NGC 6589 - 90 in Sagittarius - Nebulosity in Sagittarius, NGC 6589 - 90 - These nebulae are located in Sagittarius at a distance of about 5900 light years from Earth. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. Our view towards the centre of the Galaxy is obscured by extensive clouds of interstellar dust in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius. The large - scale, patchy nature of the obscuration can be seen with the unaided eye and it is evident on smaller scales from the uneven distribution of background stars across this picture. Light from bright stars within the dust produces the two blue reflection nebulae (NGC 6589 and 6590), and these stars are members of a loose open cluster of stars, NGC 6595 (Sharpless 37) which is at a distance of about 5,900 light years. A large, almost transparent cloud of hydrogen, mixed with traces of dust, glows with a characteristic magenta hue over most of the field of view. This is known as IC 1283, 1284 and

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Eagle Nebula (IC 4703) and M16 star cluster in the Snake - The dust lanes in Messier 16 (NGC 6611) - Located in the Snake, this nebula is about 6000 years away from Earth. The M16 star cluster is a cluster of young stars formed about 2 million years ago in the Eagle nebula, IC 4703. These stars are much warmer than the Sun and can be 30 times more massive. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. There are few clearer examples anywhere of the intimate relationship between dust, gas and young stars than M16. We see a young cluster of stars (NGC 6611) which formed about 2 million years ago, illuminating a cloud of hydrogen gas. The gas is also dusty, and in places the dust is dense enough to prevent starlight from reaching the gas and making it glow with its distinctive red hue. The luminous hydrogen provides a vivid background against which are seen numerous dark lanes and discrete globules of dust. Many of the dusty clouds are edged with bright rims which indicate the direction

Eagle Nebula (IC 4703) and M16 star cluster in the Snake - The dust lanes in Messier 16 (NGC 6611) - Located in the Snake, this nebula is about 6000 years away from Earth. The M16 star cluster is a cluster of young stars formed about 2 million years ago in the Eagle nebula, IC 4703. These stars are much warmer than the Sun and can be 30 times more massive. Image made with Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. There are few clearer examples anywhere of the intimate relationship between dust, gas and young stars than M16. We see a young cluster of stars (NGC 6611) which formed about 2 million years ago, illuminating a cloud of hydrogen gas. The gas is also dusty, and in places the dust is dense enough to prevent starlight from reaching the gas and making it glow with its distinctive red hue. The luminous hydrogen provides a vivid background against which are seen numerous dark lanes and discrete globules of dust. Many of the dusty clouds are edged with bright rims which indicate the direction

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Globular cluster NGC 3201 in Veles - Globular cluster NGC 3201 in Vela - This cluster of stars is located about 15,000 years ago - light from Earth

Globular cluster NGC 3201 in Veles - Globular cluster NGC 3201 in Vela - This cluster of stars is located about 15,000 years ago - light from Earth

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Centaur Omega globular cluster - The globular cluster Omega Centauri NGC 5139 - Located 17,000 years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaur, Omega Centauri contains several million stars and is one of the oldest objects in our galaxy. To the unaided eye this glorious globular cluster has the appearance of a hazy star and was frequently confused with Halley's comet when it drifted through Centaurus in 1986. One of the richest in the Milky Way, Omega Cen contains several million stars, but unlike its southern rival, 47 Tucanae, it has a relatively open structure. Like most galactic globular clusters, the stellar population of Omega Cen identifies it as one of the oldest objects associated with the Milky Way, indeed its age is comparable to that of the Universe itself. The cluster contains a large number of RR Lyrae variable stars which enable its distance to be determined as 17,000 light years

Centaur Omega globular cluster - The globular cluster Omega Centauri NGC 5139 - Located 17,000 years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaur, Omega Centauri contains several million stars and is one of the oldest objects in our galaxy. To the unaided eye this glorious globular cluster has the appearance of a hazy star and was frequently confused with Halley's comet when it drifted through Centaurus in 1986. One of the richest in the Milky Way, Omega Cen contains several million stars, but unlike its southern rival, 47 Tucanae, it has a relatively open structure. Like most galactic globular clusters, the stellar population of Omega Cen identifies it as one of the oldest objects associated with the Milky Way, indeed its age is comparable to that of the Universe itself. The cluster contains a large number of RR Lyrae variable stars which enable its distance to be determined as 17,000 light years

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Centaur Omega globular cluster - NGC 5139 Omega Centauri globular cluster - Located 17,000 years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaur, Omega Centaur contains several million stars and is one of the oldest objects in our galaxy. One of the richest in the Milky Way, Omega Cen contains several million stars, but unlike its southern rival, 47 Tucanae, it has a relatively open structure. Like most galactic globular clusters, the stellar population of Omega Cen identifies it as one of the oldest objects associated with the Milky Way, indeed its age is comparable to that of the Universe itself. The cluster contains a large number of RR Lyrae variable stars which enable its distance to be determined as 17,000 light years

Centaur Omega globular cluster - NGC 5139 Omega Centauri globular cluster - Located 17,000 years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaur, Omega Centaur contains several million stars and is one of the oldest objects in our galaxy. One of the richest in the Milky Way, Omega Cen contains several million stars, but unlike its southern rival, 47 Tucanae, it has a relatively open structure. Like most galactic globular clusters, the stellar population of Omega Cen identifies it as one of the oldest objects associated with the Milky Way, indeed its age is comparable to that of the Universe itself. The cluster contains a large number of RR Lyrae variable stars which enable its distance to be determined as 17,000 light years

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Globular cluster M4 in Scorpio - Globular cluster M4 in Scorpius - M4 is a globular cluster located about 7,000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Scorpio. M14 is a globular cluster at about 7,000 light - years away and appearing in the constellation Scorpius

Globular cluster M4 in Scorpio - Globular cluster M4 in Scorpius - M4 is a globular cluster located about 7,000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Scorpio. M14 is a globular cluster at about 7,000 light - years away and appearing in the constellation Scorpius

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Galaxy clusters Abell 1060 in Hydra - The Hydra cluster of galaxies (Abell 1060) - The galaxy in the center is the spiral galaxy NGC 3312. To its right, the brightest elliptical galaxies of this cluster: NGC 3311. The two bright stars are closer and belong to our galaxy. This splendid cluster of galaxies in Hydra is framed by two nearby, cool stars in our own Milky Way. The brightest is about 5th magnitude, visible to the unaided eye only under a dark sky; the second brightest is below naked - eye visibility. In contrast the galaxies appear featureless in all but the largest telescopes. The bluish, elongated galaxy is an edge - on spiral, NGC 3312. It has been distorted by interactions with its neighbours. They in turn have been affected, and the brightest of the two adjacent yellow elliptical galaxies (NGC 3311) has an assymetrical envelope, perhaps as a result of this encounter. It's hard to tell who is jostling who in a crowded group of galaxies such as this. Among the most interest

Galaxy clusters Abell 1060 in Hydra - The Hydra cluster of galaxies (Abell 1060) - The galaxy in the center is the spiral galaxy NGC 3312. To its right, the brightest elliptical galaxies of this cluster: NGC 3311. The two bright stars are closer and belong to our galaxy. This splendid cluster of galaxies in Hydra is framed by two nearby, cool stars in our own Milky Way. The brightest is about 5th magnitude, visible to the unaided eye only under a dark sky; the second brightest is below naked - eye visibility. In contrast the galaxies appear featureless in all but the largest telescopes. The bluish, elongated galaxy is an edge - on spiral, NGC 3312. It has been distorted by interactions with its neighbours. They in turn have been affected, and the brightest of the two adjacent yellow elliptical galaxies (NGC 3311) has an assymetrical envelope, perhaps as a result of this encounter. It's hard to tell who is jostling who in a crowded group of galaxies such as this. Among the most interest

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Halley Comete - The tails of Comet Halley on March 9, 1986 - Halley Comete March 9, 1986

Halley Comete - The tails of Comet Halley on March 9, 1986 - Halley Comete March 9, 1986

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Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

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Open cluster M93 (NGC 2447) in Puppis - Open cluster M93 (NGC 2447) in Puppis - M93 (NGC 2447) is a cluster of age stars located 3000 years - light. Image obtained by the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring In March, 1871 Charles Messier noted as number 93 in his famous catalogue this conspicuous group as a cluster of small stars. It was one of the last objects that Messier himself listed though he lived until 1817. The cluster is in the southern constellation of Puppis (known to Messier as Argo Puppis) and is in a rich part of the Milky Way, almost on the Galactic equator. The group is quite compact and is on the threshold of naked - eye visibility under good conditions. It is at a distance of over 3000 light years. About 80 stars have been identified as being members of the cluster, however, as in most open clusters, a mere handful contribute most of the light, reflecting the broad distribution of stellar luminosities (and thus stellar masses) found in objects of this kind. M93 is at the

Open cluster M93 (NGC 2447) in Puppis - Open cluster M93 (NGC 2447) in Puppis - M93 (NGC 2447) is a cluster of age stars located 3000 years - light. Image obtained by the 3.9m telescope of Siding Spring In March, 1871 Charles Messier noted as number 93 in his famous catalogue this conspicuous group as a cluster of small stars. It was one of the last objects that Messier himself listed though he lived until 1817. The cluster is in the southern constellation of Puppis (known to Messier as Argo Puppis) and is in a rich part of the Milky Way, almost on the Galactic equator. The group is quite compact and is on the threshold of naked - eye visibility under good conditions. It is at a distance of over 3000 light years. About 80 stars have been identified as being members of the cluster, however, as in most open clusters, a mere handful contribute most of the light, reflecting the broad distribution of stellar luminosities (and thus stellar masses) found in objects of this kind. M93 is at the

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Proxima Star of Centauri - Proxima Centauri - Proxima of Centaur (in the center of the image) is the closest star to the Sun, at a distance of 4.2 years - light. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. Proxima Centauri is the nearest known star to the sun, at a distance of about 4.2 light years. It is an intrinsically faint red star, more than ten magnitudes (ten thousand times) fainter than the Sun. It is also much cooler, with a surface temperature of about 3100 C. Its visual (apparent) magnitude is eleven, so it is only visible with a good telescope, and only then from southern latitudes. Proxima is about one - tenth the mass of the sun, which accounts for its low surface temperature. It is possibly an outlying member of the triple alpha Centauri system just a few light days closer to us than the other, much brighter stars in the group

Proxima Star of Centauri - Proxima Centauri - Proxima of Centaur (in the center of the image) is the closest star to the Sun, at a distance of 4.2 years - light. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. Proxima Centauri is the nearest known star to the sun, at a distance of about 4.2 light years. It is an intrinsically faint red star, more than ten magnitudes (ten thousand times) fainter than the Sun. It is also much cooler, with a surface temperature of about 3100 C. Its visual (apparent) magnitude is eleven, so it is only visible with a good telescope, and only then from southern latitudes. Proxima is about one - tenth the mass of the sun, which accounts for its low surface temperature. It is possibly an outlying member of the triple alpha Centauri system just a few light days closer to us than the other, much brighter stars in the group

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Motion of the Star Proxima of Centauri - The proper motion of Proxima Centauri - Proxima of Centauri (in the center of the image) is the closest star to the Sun, located at a distance of 4.2 years - light. This star is a red dwarf, 10,000 times less luminous than our Sun, and is invisible to the naked eye. Its proximity makes it move quickly ahead of the other stars. This composite image made from three images taken in 1976 (blue), 1982 (red) and 1993 (green) shows the shift of the star in 17 years. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. Proxima Centauri is the nearest known star to the sun, at a distance of about 4.2 light years. It is an intrinsically faint red star, more than ten magnitudes (ten thousand times) fainter than the Sun. It is also much cooler, with a surface temperature of about 3100 C. Its visual (apparent) magnitude is eleven, so it is only visible with a good telescope, and only then from southern latitudes. Proxima is about one - tenth t

Motion of the Star Proxima of Centauri - The proper motion of Proxima Centauri - Proxima of Centauri (in the center of the image) is the closest star to the Sun, located at a distance of 4.2 years - light. This star is a red dwarf, 10,000 times less luminous than our Sun, and is invisible to the naked eye. Its proximity makes it move quickly ahead of the other stars. This composite image made from three images taken in 1976 (blue), 1982 (red) and 1993 (green) shows the shift of the star in 17 years. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt UK telescope of Siding Spring. Proxima Centauri is the nearest known star to the sun, at a distance of about 4.2 light years. It is an intrinsically faint red star, more than ten magnitudes (ten thousand times) fainter than the Sun. It is also much cooler, with a surface temperature of about 3100 C. Its visual (apparent) magnitude is eleven, so it is only visible with a good telescope, and only then from southern latitudes. Proxima is about one - tenth t

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Open cluster NGC 3293 in Carene - Open star cluster NGC 3293 in Carina - Star cluster located in the constellation Carene about 8500 years ago - light from Earth. Unlike the Sun, many stars are found in brilliant clusters such as NGC 3293 where they spend their lives. At birth, which should have been at much the same time for all the stars in NGC 3293, the most massive stars are hot and very luminous and therefore appear as the brightest blue stars. With time they deplete their supplies of nuclear fuel, hydrogen. This evolutionary process involves cooling, so that the stars become redder, and would ordinarily disappear from view, but they also swell to gigantic proportions and so remain visible. The bright orange star in NGC 3293 is the member of the cluster which has aged fastest. This cluster is in the constellation of Carina at a distance of about 8500 light years

Open cluster NGC 3293 in Carene - Open star cluster NGC 3293 in Carina - Star cluster located in the constellation Carene about 8500 years ago - light from Earth. Unlike the Sun, many stars are found in brilliant clusters such as NGC 3293 where they spend their lives. At birth, which should have been at much the same time for all the stars in NGC 3293, the most massive stars are hot and very luminous and therefore appear as the brightest blue stars. With time they deplete their supplies of nuclear fuel, hydrogen. This evolutionary process involves cooling, so that the stars become redder, and would ordinarily disappear from view, but they also swell to gigantic proportions and so remain visible. The bright orange star in NGC 3293 is the member of the cluster which has aged fastest. This cluster is in the constellation of Carina at a distance of about 8500 light years

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Open cluster NGC 4755 - Jewel Box - The Jewel Box cluster, NGC 4755 - NGC 4755 is located in the constellation of the Southern Cross at a distance of 7800 years - light from Earth. The bright orange star is Kappa Crucis, a supergiant red star. This famous group of young bright stars is an open cluster some 7800 light years from the Sun. It was named the Jewel Box from its description by Sir John Herschel as 'a casket of variously coloured precious stones', which refers to its appearance in the telescope. The bright orange star is kappa Crucis, and it contrasts strongly against its predominantly blue, hot companions. Kappa Cru is a very large, (hence very luminous) quite young star in its red supergiant stage, which paradoxically indicates that its life is drawing to a close. The cluster is looks like a star to the unaided eye and appears close to the eastern - most star of the Southern Cross, so is only visible from southern latitude

Open cluster NGC 4755 - Jewel Box - The Jewel Box cluster, NGC 4755 - NGC 4755 is located in the constellation of the Southern Cross at a distance of 7800 years - light from Earth. The bright orange star is Kappa Crucis, a supergiant red star. This famous group of young bright stars is an open cluster some 7800 light years from the Sun. It was named the Jewel Box from its description by Sir John Herschel as 'a casket of variously coloured precious stones', which refers to its appearance in the telescope. The bright orange star is kappa Crucis, and it contrasts strongly against its predominantly blue, hot companions. Kappa Cru is a very large, (hence very luminous) quite young star in its red supergiant stage, which paradoxically indicates that its life is drawing to a close. The cluster is looks like a star to the unaided eye and appears close to the eastern - most star of the Southern Cross, so is only visible from southern latitude

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Open cluster M11 in the ECU of Sobieski - M11 open cluster in Scutum - M11 (NGC 6705) is a cluster of about 3000 stars. Image obtained by Siding Spring Clusters of bright blue stars like M11 are found scattered among the spiral arms of the Milky Way and other galaxies like it. They are a clear sign that star formation is active, because such clusters are usually very young and short lived. The stars in M11 all formed from the same material and at about the same time, a few million years ago. In 100 million years or so, all the brightest stars in the group will have evolved into cool supergiants and exploded as supernovae, leaving behind large numbers of low mass, relatively faint stars whose lives will be much longer and whose end will be much less dramatic. Located in the constellation of Scutum, it is sometimes mistaken for a loose globular cluster. M11 is also called the “” Wild Duck Cluster”” because of it's resemblance to a flight of wild ducks when viewed in a telescope. M11, wit

Open cluster M11 in the ECU of Sobieski - M11 open cluster in Scutum - M11 (NGC 6705) is a cluster of about 3000 stars. Image obtained by Siding Spring Clusters of bright blue stars like M11 are found scattered among the spiral arms of the Milky Way and other galaxies like it. They are a clear sign that star formation is active, because such clusters are usually very young and short lived. The stars in M11 all formed from the same material and at about the same time, a few million years ago. In 100 million years or so, all the brightest stars in the group will have evolved into cool supergiants and exploded as supernovae, leaving behind large numbers of low mass, relatively faint stars whose lives will be much longer and whose end will be much less dramatic. Located in the constellation of Scutum, it is sometimes mistaken for a loose globular cluster. M11 is also called the “” Wild Duck Cluster”” because of it's resemblance to a flight of wild ducks when viewed in a telescope. M11, wit

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