Thursday, January 11, 2007

The Eagle Nebula in Infrared

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/N. Flagey (IAS/SSC) & A. Noriega-Crespo (SSC/Caltech)
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Explanation: In visible light, the whole thing looks like an eagle. The region was captured recently in unprecedented detail in infrared light by the robotic orbiting Spitzer Space Telescope (SSC). Shown above, the infrared image allows observers to peer through normally opaque dust and so better capture the full complexity of the Eagle Nebula star forming region. In particular, the three famous pillars near the image center are seen bathed in dust likely warmed by a supernova explosion. The warm dust is digitally assigned the false color of red. Also visible, near the bottom of the image, is ten light-year long pillar sometimes dubbed the Fairy of Eagle Nebula. The greater Eagle emission nebula, tagged M16, lies about 6500 light years away, spans about 20 light-years, and is visible with binoculars toward the constellation of Serpens.

Our BSF leader said this yesterday, speaking of when we encounter troubles in this life, but somehow this picture makes me think of it:

The "Go To" Principle: "When my life is out of focus, I remind myself that I am not a body with a soul, but a soul with a body."

I also liked this one: "When we encounter trouble, we can break down, break out, or break through."

5 comments:

Brooke said...

Breathtaking!!!

American Crusader said...

NASA launched a new telescope right before New Year's Day that will detect planets and other solar systems possibly a small as Earth. Previously, they have located large gas like (Jupiter) planets but this will be the first time they have a legitimate chance of finding Earth like planets.
Russia is building nine new spacecrafts to launch American and Russian personnel into space and now Britain is considering sending probes to the moon without Europe's space agency or NASA.
Expect a lot of exploration in space the next few years.

Eyes said...

Hi AC and Brooke, It's an exciting time to be alive isn't it. When you consider the complexity of the Universe,,,, amazing.

Urban Infidel said...

The lower right looks like the hand of God. Or, maybe a little like ET too.

Breathtaking.

Eyes said...

UI, Oh ya,,, I see that! cool:>)