More Space Pictures

 

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NGC 300

This picture of the spectacular southern spiral galaxy NGC 300 was taken using the Wide Field Imager (WFI) at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile. It was assembled from many individual images through a large set of different filters over many observing nights, spanning several years. The main purpose of this extensive observational campaign was to get an unusually thorough census of the stars in the galaxy, counting both the number and varieties of stars and marking regions, or even individual stars, that warrant deeper and more focused investigation. But such a rich data collection will also have many other uses for years to come. The images were mostly taken through filters that transmit red, green or blue light. These were supplemented by images through special filters that allow through only the light from ionized hydrogen or oxygen gas and highlight the glowing clouds in the galaxy's spiral arms. The total exposure time amounted to around 50 hours. Credit: ESO

Space is Awesome

The Hubble Deep Field picture.

The hubble deep field picture shows only 1/88,000,000 of the visible night sky and yet you are looking right here at thousands of galaxies each containing hundreds of billions of stars. This to me is the most beautiful and significant picture ever taken by mankind.

A ring galaxy or galaxies.

Scientists are not sure yet if this visible light picture of a ring galaxy is in fact one or two galaxies but either way it is a spectacular picture.

NGC 466

It is a starburst galaxy, about 80 million light-years from Earth, in which particularly intense star formation is taking place. The starburst is thought to be caused by gravitational interactions with neighboring galaxies, including NGC 4668, visible to the lower left. A combination of supernova explosions and strong winds from massive stars in the starburst region drives a vast outflow of gas from the galaxy into space — a so-called “superwind”.

Source: PhysOrg.com

A supernova with the material being consumed by nearby stars.

The Hourglass nebula.

The universe is a beautiful place. I will try and post some more pictures of it in a timely manner.