Pinwheels

Two Times Pinwheel





Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/VLA/MPIA

The Southern Pinwheel galaxy (M83) is shown in ultraviolet (blue and green) and radio (red). Spectacular, if you ask me! :-)

The Moon

Half Moon



Credit: Vicent Peris


I like it because it is bluish, of course, and because it is different from most other moon images. :-)

Antarctica

Antarctica Holidays




With GPS, Of Course!





Fix'n Up Cryosat.




Read the story about how scientists, more specifically a bunch of geodesists measuring with GPS, spend their Christmas holidays on Antarctica.

North Magnetic Pole

Earth's North Magnetic Pole



Credit: ESA/Envisat


If your Santa Claus is the one who lives at the North Pole, I certainly hope you tell your kids that the Santa then has two (geographical and magnetic) homes and that they move around on a regular basis. Above is an image of the North Magnetic Pole, at the moment residing on Canadian territory.

Throwing Shoes

HorseSHOE Nebula Throwing



Credit: NASA/CXC/PSU/L.Townsley et al.

Horseshoe Nebula (M17) as seen in x-rays.


Now, THAT would have been something to write back home about. Get it, BBC?

Bok Globules

Globules






NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)



As I was looking around the internet for Christmas Tree Cluster images I came over a couple of globules. I like the pictures, even if they are pinkish. Hubble Heritage team has put together a couple of nice presentation of the phenomena. I like the zooming video - that puts it into perspective at least a where in space perspective.

Christmas Tree Series - V

Christmas Tree Cluster V


Credit: R Jay Gabany


The Christmas Tree Star Cluster is one of four astronomical objects identified within NGC 2264. The other three being the Cone Nebula Nebula, the Fox Fur Nebula and the Snowflake Cluster. You'll find them all in the Monoceros constellation, one of Orions neighbours.

The Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264) was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 and can be observed with binoculars if you so wish. The star cluster includes many interesting and curious structures in the gas and dust. At the top of the frame, the dark triangular feature is known as the Cone Nebula ( mentioned above). The region close to the brightest star has a strange, fur-like texture that has led to the name Fox Fur Nebula, also mentioned above.

Energetic hot young stars emitt intense ultra-violet light causing the overall red colors of the image. The stars themselves appear blue as they are hotter, younger and more massive than our own Sun. Some of this blue light is scattered by dust.

I've collected a few images of the Christmas Tree for you to enjoy these holidays. Links to the original and more scientific information about this spectacular view in the sky is integrated in the text.

The image above is published November 2008 on Cosmotography and appears on APOD 25th December 2008 (click image for more details). Note that I have rotated all the Christmas Tree Cluster images so that we see 'a tree' standing upright.


Christmas Tree Cluster Collection:
I, II , III, IV, V

Hippopotamus for Christmas

Hippo for Christmas



Xineann told me that she really wanted a Hippo for Christmas. In case she hasn't got one yet, here is an ancient one. She has to look for the stars, but that she is used to as she is a keen reader of Celestial Art of whatever day over at a certain nice man's blog.

This ancient Egyptian celestial Hippo came with a croco on her back. It is all the same a Hippo. :-)

Christmas Tree Series - IV

Christmas Tree Cluster IV


Credit: ESO


The Christmas Tree Star Cluster is one of four astronomical objects identified within NGC 2264. The other three being the Cone Nebula Nebula, the Fox Fur Nebula and the Snowflake Cluster. You'll find them all in the Monoceros constellation, one of Orions neighbours.

The Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264) was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 and can be observed with binoculars if you so wish. The star cluster includes many interesting and curious structures in the gas and dust. At the top of the frame, the dark triangular feature is known as the Cone Nebula ( mentioned above). The region close to the brightest star has a strange, fur-like texture that has led to the name Fox Fur Nebula, also mentioned above.

Energetic hot young stars emitt intense ultra-violet light causing the overall red colors of the image. The stars themselves appear blue as they are hotter, younger and more massive than our own Sun. Some of this blue light is scattered by dust.

I've collected a few images of the Christmas Tree for you to enjoy these holidays. Links to the original and more scientific information about this spectacular view in the sky is integrated in the text.

The image above is published December 2008 on ESO's pages (click image for more details). Note that I have rotated all the Christmas Tree Cluster images so that we see 'a tree' standing upright.

Christmas Tree Series III

Christmas Tree Cluster III


Credit: Russell Croman
The Christmas Tree Cluster focusing in on the Cone Nebula



The Christmas Tree Star Cluster is one of four astronomical objects identified within NGC 2264. The other three being the Cone Nebula Nebula, the Fox Fur Nebula and the Snowflake Cluster. You'll find them all in the Monoceros constellation, one of Orions neighbours.

The Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264) was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 and can be observed with binoculars if you so wish. The star cluster includes many interesting and curious structures in the gas and dust. At the bottom of the frame, the dark triangular feature is known as the Cone Nebula ( mentioned above). The region to the right of the brightest star has a strange, fur-like texture that has led to the name Fox Fur Nebula, also mentioned above.

I've collected a few images of the Christmas Tree for you to enjoy these holidays. Links to the original and more scientific information about this spectacular view in the sky is integrated in the text.

The image above is taken January December 2005 can be found on Russell Croman Astrophotography(click image for a larger view). Note that I have rotated all the Christmas Tree Cluster images so that we see 'a tree' standing upright.

The Cone Nebula - Close-Up



Credit Esa/Nasa

As we are focusing in on the Cone Nebula in the Christmas Tree Cluster you might as well get a really close look. It is rather peculiar and pretty, the Cone Nebula. It can certainly survive a close-up with dignity.:-)

X-Ray Santa

A Dash of Blue in Orion



Credit: AAAS/Science (ESA XMM-Newton and NASA Spitzer data)


All X-Rayed Santa



Calling this Santa Claus is a bit of a long stretch, I think, but that is how ESA present this image. I like the blue AND Orion is one of my favorite conctellations, so I decided to serve you this as an astronomical Christmas image after all. :-)

Christmas Tree Series - II

Christmas Tree Cluster II


Credit: T.A. Rector (NRAO/AUI/NSF and NOAO/AURA/NSF) and B.A. Wolpa (NOAO/AURA/NSF)


The Christmas Tree Star Cluster is one of four astronomical objects identified within NGC 2264. The other three being the Cone Nebula Nebula, the Fox Fur Nebula and the Snowflake Cluster. You'll find them all in the Monoceros constellation, one of Orions neighbours.

The Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264) was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 and can be observed with binoculars if you so wish. The star cluster includes many interesting and curious structures in the gas and dust. At the top of the frame, the dark triangular feature is known as the Cone Nebula ( mentioned above). The region close to the brightest star has a strange, fur-like texture that has led to the name Fox Fur Nebula, also mentioned above.

I've collected a few images of the Christmas Tree for you to enjoy these holidays. Links to the original and more scientific information about this spectacular view in the sky is integrated in the text.

The image above is published December 2005 on NOAO's pages (click image for a larger view). Note that I have rotated all the Christmas Tree Cluster images so that we see 'a tree' standing upright.

Christmas Tree Series - I

Christmas Tree Cluster I


Credit: Laura Baird/Flynn Haase/NOAO/AURA/NSF


Culture is well represented in the heavens as names on constellations, nebulae, stars etc. That is also the case for the Christmas tree. In the heavens the Christmas tree contains a few other elements such as a Cone, just like one would expect. I can't say I've seen a Fox Fur on a Christmas tree here on Earth, though, but it sure has got one in the sky version of a Christmas tree.

The Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264) was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 and can be observed with binoculars. The star cluster includes many interesting and curious structures in the gas and dust. At the bottom of the frame, the dark triangular feature is known as the Cone Nebula ( mentioned above). The region to the right of the brightest star has a strange, fur-like texture that has led to the name Fox Fur Nebula, also mentioned above.

I've collected a few images of the Christmas Tree for you to enjoy these holidays. Links to the original and more scientific information about this spectacular view in the sky is integrated in the text.

The image above is taken at Kitt Peak and published December 2004 on NOAO's pages (click image for the original). Note that I have rotated all the Christmas Tree Cluster images so that we see 'a tree' standing upright.

Polar Ghosts

Polar Passion




Credit: Børge Ousland

A friend of mine once secretly dated Børge Ousland. That is some hot polar gossip for you. Stellare's degenerated Christmas gift to her SU voyeurs. ;-)


Ghost Hunting

The Earth

The Blue Planet







Credit: James Canvin

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice



Credit: TheSkyX/Software Bisque

Snow

Snow Crystal Tree



Credit: Kenneth G. Libbrecht, Caltech

A cluster of numerous snow stars growing on electric needles.


The naturally growing non-designer snow crystals we got earlier in December are all gone. It is perhaps too much to ask for designer snow though, isn't it? :-)

Sun

Totally Sun



Credit; Anthony Ayiomamitis


On this, the 'shortest day' of the year.

Say It With Science

Stellare's Week-end Car



Mercedes CLK Roadster



Rocks* With Rocket Science





*Actually, it un-rocks the car...read the article! :-)

Mineral Mars

Missing Mars Mineral



Credit: NASA/JPL/JHUAPL/University of Arizona/Brown University

This image shows carbonate-bearing rocks in the sides of eroded mesas in the Nili Fossae region. Scientists believe the carbonates may have been formed at the surface when olivine-rich rocks were exposed, and altered, by running water.





Found!

Mars

Blue Mars



Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

A complicated crater on Mars - in blue, of course! :-)

Tidal Energy

Tidal Turbine



Streaming Hot - Underwater Windmill Produces Energy

The Andromeda Galaxy

The One And Only Andromeda




Credit: Robert Gendler

This is a gorgeous image of an amazing galaxy. :-)

The Earth

The Earth's Inner Life



Credit: University of Ohio


Two giant plumes of hot rock deep within the earth are linked to the plate motions that shape the continents.

The Sun

Solar Entertainment




I find it deeply entertaining that we still haven't figured out the ins and outs about our dear very own star, The Sun. :-)

Shuttle returns home

Shuttle Ride



This image makes me happy. Simple as that!

Darkness

In The Dark



Credit: NASA

Abell 85

We live in a dark envelope these last days of December. It is a returning subject of discussion among us "Northlings". Winter Solstice is just around the corner, 21st December the Sun 'will turn', as we say, most of us knowing the Sun actually does no such thing. Anyways, the important point is that we'll see more of the Sun from that day on.

The timing is thus perfect for discussing dark matters while we live through the darkest of times (of the year). With our minds focusing on the light to come we should remember that it is in fact a lot darker than we can imagine - even darker than on the North pole at Winter Solstice. SU's very own bigdirtymosh understands this and uses his space on the Discovery Channel to shed some light on the deep, deep, immense darkness out there.








Illustration: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss

Dark energy is estimated to contribute about 74% of the energy in the Universe, dark matter about 22% and normal matter about 4%. Only the normal matter can be directly detected with telescopes, which includes the hot gas emitted by galaxy clusters.

Dumbbell Nebula

Dumbbell



Credit: Daniel López


We saw YOU first, you gorgeous nebula, you! :-)

Solar Flare

Ferocious Flare



Credit: NASA



Solar Flare Surprise Edition


It is not like our satellites, including especially the GPS satellites, are keen on too much solar activity. Ferocious blasts are fun but dangerous as they knock out navigation instruments and what not. But, we haven't hardly had ANY SUN SPOTS IN AGES FOR CHRIST SAKE!! So I guess we can afford a little happiness over this blast of a surprising solar flare. And let instruments be malfunctioning instruments for a short little while. :-)

Sun

Sun



Credit: Time-Lapsed1


I love a good transit. This is a good transit. :-)

Black Hole in Milky Way

Central Supermassive Black Hole



Credit: ESO

In the center of our galaxy there is a supermassive black hole lurking around. This image is the best close-up of it yet. I never get tired of black holes.

Say It With Science

All Spaced Out



Credit: NASA

Stellare in her leisure wear - ready for whatever. With a perspective.

Mr. Pickett, you favor those pupils with a mouth-diarrhea that loves to go into lengthy details about basically any subject. I'm short and use pictures. Just so you know.


1. Ursa Major - for obvious reasons, Duh!

2. See image above

3. Space Section

4. Yuri Gagarin - because he was Russian....

5. Empty

6. Religious mambo jambo - again. There is no hell. I'd consider crawl into a wormhole. Not in Earthly dirt of course, but a cosmological wormhole rather.

Comet

Blue Ball



A comet!

Atmospheric Optics

Moilanen Arc



Credit: Marko Riikonen


These atmospheric arcs are simply awesome. I highly recommend reading the comments on each of Marko Riikonens images (click on image to get the whole series of images). His comments are so Finnish! :-)

Mars

Groundwater on Mars





Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

Iani Chaos on Mars, an area where Light Toned Deposits, or LTD, are known to be present.






Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

Hebes Chasma is an enclosed trough, almost 8000 m deep, in Valles Marineris, the Grand Canyon of Mars, showing Light Toned Deposits. This is an area where water is believed to have flowed.



Water on Mars is old news. Learning about the details of this water will never grow out of fashion though. As on this planet, knowing the amount and behavior of ground water is a hot topic.

Moon

Full Moon



Photo: AmirHossein Abolfath

Full Moon over Tomb

Moon over Humayun's Tomb


Photo: Atish
The Full Moon shines above the World Heritage Site of Humayun's tomb complex in Delhi, India.


The Humayun's Tomb, Delhi, built from 1570-1578, was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Humayun (1508 – 1556) was the second Mughal Emperor who ruled modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India from 1530–1540 and again from 1555–1556. After Humayun died in 1556, his widow Hamida Banu Begam, also known as Haji Begam, commenced the construction of his tomb in 1570, fourteen years after his death. It is the first distinct example of proper Mughal style, which was inspired by Persian architecture.

The Alps

Snow Kiss



Credit: ESA

The lovely Alps with a drizzle of snow - like a snow lipstick kiss!

Butterfly

Blue Butterfly



Photo: T. K. Hamilton





Thanks MBMC

Climate Change Refugees

Climate Refugees 2010



Cartographer: Emmanuelle UNEP/GRID-Arendal


Fifty million climate refugees by 2010.


"Today we find a world of asymmetric development, unsustainable natural resource use, and continued rural and urban poverty. There is general agreement about the current global environmental and development crisis. It is also known that the consequences of these global changes have the most devastating impacts on the poorest, who historically have had limited entitlements and opportunities for growth."

And yet we continue to discuss who or what causes the changes. This is perhaps the only topic that I will agree with Mrs Sarah Palin; we need to act on and adjust to climate change now. Some will argue that if we don't know what causes climate change we cannot make the right decisions. As a scientists I am of course not going to argue against understanding and knowledge production. However, we have technology and information to monitor mother Earths behavior today AND we can model pretty well the near future as well. Enough to act.

Shuttle

Free Ride Home



Credit: NASA/Tom Tschida


Endeavour had to get a lift back home to Kennedy Space Center from Edwards Air Force. A free ride. :-)