APOD 3: IC 5067 in the Pelican Nebula

APOD: 22 August 2013
IC 5067 in the Pelican Nebula

Part of a larger emission nebula with a distinctive shape, the ridge spans about 10 light years, following the curve of the pelican's head and neck. The pervasive glow of narrow emission lines from atoms in the nebula translates to a magnificent false color palette.

The nebula looks more like a painting than a photograph.
The glowing emissions from the curvatures in the nebula explain the vast expanses of the universe visually. The conglomeration of the stars shows the unity of the galaxies, but also the uniqueness of each nebula, constellation, etc.

APOD 2: Adromeda on the Rocks

APOD: 27 September 2013
Andromeda on the Rocks

The Adromeda Galaxy is 2.5 million light years away, and is the most visible distant object easily seen by the unaided eye. Known as M31, it is a faint smudge near the top center of the Earth and skyscape. Galaxy and seaside rocks can be seen by naked eye on a clear summer night.

The scene is appealing due to the division of Earth and the scope of the Adromeda Galaxy. We see both the beauty of Earth on a summer's night in Italy, and also the mystery of the unknown and known universe. 

APOD One: 13 Sept. 2013




Astronomy Picture of the Day: 2013 September 5
M1: The Incredible Expanding Crab

The Crab Nebula is on Charles Messier's list of astronomical phenomenas that are not comets. This nebula is known to be a remenant of a supernova, a cloud of debris continually spreading throughout the universe from the explosion of a massive star. The Crab Nebula was first observed around the year 1054. The nebula lies about 6,500 light-years away from the constellation Taurus.

The composure of the nebula and the movement of the explosion caught my attention when I first saw the Crab Nebula. The nebula looks like blue and red veins of a human, which makes me feel more in touch with the vast universe around me.