Orion's Cradle

[glenc]

Todays APOD by Tony Hallas is amazing. Explanation: Cradled in glowing hydrogen, stellar nurseries in Orion lie at the edge of a giant molecular cloud some 1,500 light-years away. This breath-taking view spans about 13 degrees across the center of the well-known constellation with the Great Orion Nebula, the closest large star forming region, just right of center. The deep mosaic also includes (left of center), the Horsehead Nebula, the Flame Nebula, and Orion's belt stars. Image data acquired with a hydrogen alpha filter adds other remarkable features to this wide angle cosmic vista -- pervasive tendrils of energized atomic hydrogen gas and portions of the surrounding Barnard's Loop. While the Orion Nebula and belt stars are easy to see with the unaided eye, emission from the extensive interstellar gas is faint and much harder to record, even in telescopic views of the nebula-rich complex. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0701/orioncradle_hallas_r.jpg

[matt]

That is simply exquisite.

It's such a mindblower to think of the massive expanse of gas and material in that image, and all the movement and processes going on.

Thanks Glen

[DaveR]

Glen,
thanks for the link. That is a stunning image and makes you (me?) wonder at what can be seen with the right equipment and techniques. I always find it fascinating how familiar objects such as the sun or milky way can present quite different appearances when viewed at different wave lengths.

Cheers

Dave

[Space]

And :
http://www.astrophoto.com/GalleryGalaxies.htm

:thumbsup:

Good bye !

[iceman]

Wow, what an image!

[Striker]

yep truely amazing.

Just look at all that neb.

[[1ponders]]

Wow!

[Ric]

Well that made me sit up and take notice.
Fantastic image Glen and thanks for the link.

Cheers

[RB]

:eyepop:

Unbelievable !!!

[Diamond Rose]

Nothing else to say but... WOW!

Can I use this as my new wallpaper? (sorry, Miss September!).

Great stuff!
~ Bruce