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View Full Version here: : Helix-Shaped Nebula Discovered


Yuzza
16-03-2006, 08:29 PM
Just got an interesting article from Universe Today

Astronomers have discovered an unusual helix-shaped nebula near the centre of the Milky Way. This peculiar nebula stretches 80 light years, and looks like the classic image of a DNA molecule. The nebula formed because it's so close to the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way, which has a very powerful magnetic field. This field isn't as powerful as the one surrounding the Sun, but it's enormous, containing a tremendous amount of energy. It's enough to reach out this incredible distance and twist up this gas cloud with its field lines.


Full story from
http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/unprecedenty_helix.html?1532006

jjjnettie
16-03-2006, 10:29 PM
Thanks for the info.

astroron
17-03-2006, 12:26 AM
Quite a fasinating object, who knows what else we are going to find in the Galactic centre as the telescopes and instramentation improve ? do you notice the star with all the little planets circling it in the lower right hand corner?:lol: :thumbsup: