Inspired by Scotts pic of a section of this nebula, I was wondering how many southern astro newcomers here are aware we have the largest nebula 'visible' from earth all to ourselves (pretty much)
. only problem is its faintness - in its entirety and broken up - its really only a photographic object.
But it spans a whopping 40 degrees at its widest!!!
check out these relevant sites
http://aida.astroinfo.org/displayimage.php?pos=-1176
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap001107.html
http://www.southernskyphoto.com/sout...gum_nebula.htm
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000412.html
I am absolutely fascinated by this beast of a neb, and have been for some time, imagine if it was visible to the eye in bino's
and here's the next biggest dim nearby neb/bubble shell - although this may be even bigger as images go deeper and deeper? I think the orion bubble/shell is pretty damn big from memory anyone know which is bigger??
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040115.html