Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 31 LDN 43: The Cosmic Bat Nebula Image Credit & Copyright: Mark Hanson and Mike Selby;Text: Michelle Thaller (NASA's GSFC) Explanation: What is the most spook-tacular nebula in the galaxy? One contender is LDN 43, which bears an astonishing resemblance to a vast cosmic bat flying amongst the stars on a dark Halloween night. Located about 1400 light years away in the constellation Ophiuchus, this molecular cloud is dense enough to block light not only from background stars, but from wisps of gas lit up by the nearby reflection nebula LBN 7. Far from being a harbinger of death, this 12-light year-long filament of gas and dust is actually a stellar nursery. Glowing with eerie light, the bat is lit up from inside by dense gaseous knots that have just formed young stars. Celebrate: Halloween With NASA Online Tomorrow's picture: massive stars <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights apply.NASA WebPrivacy Policy...

APOD: 2022 October 29 - LDN 673: Dark Clouds in Aquila Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 29 LDN 673: Dark Clouds in Aquila Image Credit &Copyright: Frank Sackenheim, Josef Poepsel, Stefan Binnewies(Capella Observatory Team) Explanation: Part of a dark expanse that splitsthe crowded plane of our Milky Way galaxy, the Aquila Rift arcsthrough planet Earth's skiesnear bright star Altair.In eerie silhouette against the Milky Way's faintstarlight,its dusty molecular clouds likely contain raw materialto form hundreds of thousands of stars andastronomers searchthe dark clouds for telltale signs of star birth.This telescopic close-uplooks toward the region at afragmented Aquila dark cloud complex identified as LDN 673,stretching across a field of view slightly wider than the full moon.In the scene, visible indications ofenergetic outflows associatedwith young starsinclude the small red tinted nebulosity RNO 109 above and right ofcenter, and Herbig-Haro objectHH32 below.These dark clouds might look scary,but they're estimated to be some 600 light-years away.At that distance, this field of view spans about 7 light-years. Tomorrow's picture: a dark and spooky night<| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss|...

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 30 Night on a Spooky Planet Image Credit & Copyright: Stéphane Vetter(Nuits sacrées) Explanation: What spooky planet is this?PlanetEarth of course, on a dark and stormy night in 2013 at Hverir, a geothermally active areaalong thevolcanic landscapein northeastern Iceland.Triggered by solar activity,geomagnetic stormsproduced theauroral display in the starry night sky.The ghostly towers of steam and gas are ventingfrom fumarolesand danced against the eerie greenish light.For now, auroral apparitions are increasing asour Sunapproaches amaximum in its11 year solar activity cycle.And pretty soon,ghostlyshapes maydance in your neighborhood too. Tomorrow's picture: big bat <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights apply.NASA WebPrivacy Policy and Important NoticesA service of:ASD atNASA /GSFC,NASA Science Activation& Michigan Tech. U.

History's first known periodic

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 29 LDN 673: Dark Clouds in Aquila Image Credit &Copyright: Frank Sackenheim, Josef Poepsel, Stefan Binnewies(Capella Observatory Team) Explanation: Part of a dark expanse that splitsthe crowded plane of our Milky Way galaxy, the Aquila Rift arcsthrough planet Earth's skiesnear bright star Altair.In eerie silhouette against the Milky Way's faintstarlight,its dusty molecular clouds likely contain raw materialto form hundreds of thousands of stars andastronomers searchthe dark clouds for telltale signs of star birth.This telescopic close-uplooks toward the region at afragmented Aquila dark cloud complex identified as LDN 673,stretching across a field of view slightly wider than the full moon.In the scene, visible indications ofenergetic outflows associatedwith young starsinclude the small red tinted nebulosity RNO 109 above and right ofcenter, and Herbig-Haro objectHH32 below.These dark clouds might look scary,but they're estimated to be some 600 light-years away.At that distance, this field of view spans about 7 light-years. Tomorrow's picture: a dark and spooky night<| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU)...

APOD: 2022 October 27 - Sunset, Moonset, Taj Mahal Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 27 Sunset, Moonset, Taj Mahal Image Credit &Copyright: Neelam and Ajay Talwar(TWAN) Explanation: On October 25th, Sun and New Moon settogetheras seen from Agra, India.Their close conjunctionnear the western horizon, a partial solareclipse, was captured in this elevated view in hazy skies near thesolitary domeof the Taj Mahal.Of course, thepartial solar eclipsewas also seen from most of Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East,and western parts of Asia.This eclipse was the last of two solar eclipses (both partial eclipses)in 2022.But the next Full Moonwill slide through planet Earth's shadow on November 7/8, in atotal lunar eclipse. Tomorrow's picture: comet's return<| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights apply.NASA WebPrivacy Policy and Important NoticesA service of:ASD atNASA /GSFC,NASA ScienceActivation& Michigan Tech. U.

History's first known periodic

APOD: 2022 October 26 - Cocoon Nebula Wide Field Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 26 Cocoon Nebula Wide Field Image Credit & Copyright: Andy Ermolli Explanation: When does a nebula look like a comet? In this crowdedstarfield, covering over two degrees within the high flyingconstellation of the Swan (Cygnus),the eye is drawn to the Cocoon Nebula.A compact star forming region,the cosmic Cocoonpunctuates a nebula bright in emission and reflection on the left,with a long trail of interstellar dust clouds to the right, makingthe entire complex appear a bit like a comet.Cataloged as IC 5146, the central bright head of the nebula spans about 10 light years,while the dark dusty tail spans nearly 100 light years. Both are located about 2,500 light years away.The bright star near the bright nebula's center, likely only a few hundred thousand years old, supplies power to the nebular glow as it helpsclear outa cavity in the molecular cloud's star forming dust and gas.The long dusty filaments of the tail, although dark in this visible light image, are themselves hiding stars in the process of formation,...

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 27 Sunset, Moonset, Taj Mahal Image Credit &Copyright: Neelam and Ajay Talwar(TWAN) Explanation: On October 25th, Sun and New Moon settogetheras seen from Agra, India.Their close conjunctionnear the western horizon, a partial solareclipse, was captured in this elevated view in hazy skies near thesolitary domeof the Taj Mahal.Of course, thepartial solar eclipsewas also seen from most of Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East,and western parts of Asia.This eclipse was the last of two solar eclipses (both partial eclipses)in 2022.But the next Full Moonwill slide through planet Earth's shadow on November 7/8, in atotal lunar eclipse. Tomorrow's picture: comet's return<| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights apply.NASA WebPrivacy Policy and Important NoticesA service of:ASD atNASA /GSFC,NASA ScienceActivation& Michigan Tech. U.

APOD: 2022 October 25 - Jupiter Rotates as Moons Orbit Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Jupiter Rotates as Moons Orbit Video Credit & Copyright: Makrem Larnaout Explanation: Jupiter and its moons move like our Sun and its planets.Similarly, Jupiter spins while its moons circle around.Jupiter’s rotation can be observed by tracking circulating dark belts and light zones.The Great Red Spot, the largest storm known, rotates to become visible after about 15 seconds in the 48-second time lapse video.The video is a compilation of shorts taken over several nights last month and combined into a digital recreation of how 24-continuous hours would appear.Jupiter's brightest moons always orbit in the plane of the planet's rotation, even as Earth’s spin makes the whole system appear to tilt. The moons Europa,Ganymede, and Io are all visible, with Europa's shadow appearing as the icy Galilean moon crosses Jupiter's disk. Jupiter remains near opposition this month, meaning that it is unusually bright, near to its closest to the Earth, and visible nearly all night long. Almost Hyperspace: Random APOD Generator Tomorrow's picture: longer than a comet <| Archive|...

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 26 Cocoon Nebula Wide Field Image Credit & Copyright: Andy Ermolli Explanation: When does a nebula look like a comet? In this crowdedstarfield, covering over two degrees within the high flyingconstellation of the Swan (Cygnus),the eye is drawn to the Cocoon Nebula.A compact star forming region,the cosmic Cocoonpunctuates a nebula bright in emission and reflection on the left,with a long trail of interstellar dust clouds to the right, makingthe entire complex appear a bit like a comet.Cataloged as IC 5146, the central bright head of the nebula spans about 10 light years,while the dark dusty tail spans nearly 100 light years. Both are located about 2,500 light years away.The bright star near the bright nebula's center, likely only a few hundred thousand years old, supplies power to the nebular glow as it helpsclear outa cavity in the molecular cloud's star forming dust and gas.The long dusty filaments of the tail, although dark in this visible light image, are themselves hiding stars in the process of formation, stars that can be...

APOD: 2022 October 24 - Clouds Around Galaxy Andromeda Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 24 Clouds Around Galaxy Andromeda Image Credit & Copyright: Andrew Fryhover Explanation: What are those red clouds surrounding the Andromeda galaxy?This galaxy, M31, is often imaged by planet Earth-based astronomers.As the nearest large spiral galaxy, it is a familiar sightwith dark dust lanes, bright yellowish core, andspiral arms traced by clouds of bright blue stars. A mosaic of well-exposed broad and narrow-band image data, this deep portrait of ourneighboring island universe offers strikingly unfamiliar features though, faint reddish clouds of glowingionized hydrogen gas in the same wide field of view.Most of the ionized hydrogen clouds surelylie in the foreground of the scene, well within our Milky Way Galaxy.They are likely associated with the pervasive, dustyinterstellar cirrusclouds scattered hundreds of light-years above our own galactic plane.Some of the clouds, however, occur right in the Andromeda galaxy itself, and some in M110, the small galaxy just below. Tomorrow's picture: jupiter moves <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert...

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Jupiter Rotates as Moons Orbit Video Credit & Copyright: Makrem Larnaout Explanation: Jupiter and its moons move like our Sun and its planets.Similarly, Jupiter spins while its moons circle around.Jupiter’s rotation can be observed by tracking circulating dark belts and light zones.The Great Red Spot, the largest storm known, rotates to become visible after about 15 seconds in the 48-second time lapse video.The video is a compilation of shorts taken over several nights last month and combined into a digital recreation of how 24-continuous hours would appear.Jupiter's brightest moons always orbit in the plane of the planet's rotation, even as Earth’s spin makes the whole system appear to tilt. The moons Europa,Ganymede, and Io are all visible, with Europa's shadow appearing as the icy Galilean moon crosses Jupiter's disk. Jupiter remains near opposition this month, meaning that it is unusually bright, near to its closest to the Earth, and visible nearly all night long. Almost Hyperspace: Random APOD Generator Tomorrow's picture: longer than a comet <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar|...

APOD: 2022 October 23 - Milky Way and Zodiacal Light over Australian Pinnacles Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 23 Milky Way and Zodiacal Light over Australian Pinnacles Image Credit & Copyright: Jingyi Zhang Explanation: What strange world is this?Earth.In the foreground of the featured image are the Pinnacles, unusual rock spires in Nambung National Park in Western Australia.Made of ancient sea shells (limestone), how these human-sized picturesque spires formed remains a topic of research. The picturesque panorama was taken in 2017 September. A ray of zodiacal light, sunlight reflected by dust grains orbiting between the planets in the Solar System,rises from the horizon near the image center.Arching across the top is the central band of our Milky Way Galaxy.The planets Jupiter and Saturn, as well as several famous stars are also visible in the background night sky. Tomorrow's picture: red andromeda <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights apply.NASA WebPrivacy Policy and Important NoticesA service of:ASD atNASA /GSFC,NASA Science Activation& Michigan Tech....

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 24 Clouds Around Galaxy Andromeda Image Credit & Copyright: Andrew Fryhover Explanation: What are those red clouds surrounding the Andromeda galaxy?This galaxy, M31, is often imaged by planet Earth-based astronomers.As the nearest large spiral galaxy, it is a familiar sightwith dark dust lanes, bright yellowish core, andspiral arms traced by clouds of bright blue stars. A mosaic of well-exposed broad and narrow-band image data, this deep portrait of ourneighboring island universe offers strikingly unfamiliar features though, faint reddish clouds of glowingionized hydrogen gas in the same wide field of view.Most of the ionized hydrogen clouds surelylie in the foreground of the scene, well within our Milky Way Galaxy.They are likely associated with the pervasive, dustyinterstellar cirrusclouds scattered hundreds of light-years above our own galactic plane.Some of the clouds, however, occur right in the Andromeda galaxy itself, and some in M110, the small galaxy just below. Tomorrow's picture: jupiter moves <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA...

APOD: 2022 October 22 - NGC 1499: The California Nebula Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 22 NGC 1499: The California Nebula Image Credit &Copyright: Stephen Kennedy Explanation: Drifting through the Orion Arm of the spiral Milky Way Galaxy,this cosmic cloudby chance echoes the outline of California on the west coast of the United States.Our own Sun also lies within the Milky Way'sOrion Arm,only about 1,500 light-years from the CaliforniaNebula.Also known asNGC 1499, the classic emission nebula is around 100 light-years long.The California Nebula shines with the telltale reddish glowcharacteristic of hydrogen atoms recombining with long lostelectrons.The electrons have been stripped away,ionized by energetic starlight.Most likely providing the energetic starlightthat ionizes much of the nebular gas is the bright, hot starXi Perseijust to the right of the nebula. A popular target for astrophotographers, this deep imagereveals theglowing nebula, obscuring dust,and starsacross a 3 degree wide field of view.The California nebula lies toward the constellationPerseus, not far from the Pleiades. Tomorrow's picture: strange planet<| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry...

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 23 Milky Way and Zodiacal Light over Australian Pinnacles Image Credit & Copyright: Jingyi Zhang Explanation: What strange world is this?Earth.In the foreground of the featured image are the Pinnacles, unusual rock spires in Nambung National Park in Western Australia.Made of ancient sea shells (limestone), how these human-sized picturesque spires formed remains a topic of research. The picturesque panorama was taken in 2017 September. A ray of zodiacal light, sunlight reflected by dust grains orbiting between the planets in the Solar System,rises from the horizon near the image center.Arching across the top is the central band of our Milky Way Galaxy.The planets Jupiter and Saturn, as well as several famous stars are also visible in the background night sky. Tomorrow's picture: red andromeda <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights apply.NASA WebPrivacy Policy and Important NoticesA service of:ASD atNASA /GSFC,NASA Science Activation& Michigan Tech. U.

APOD: 2022 October 21 - Andromeda in Southern Skies Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 21 Andromeda in Southern Skies Image Credit &Copyright: Ian Griffin(Otago Museum) Explanation: Looking north fromsouthern New Zealand,the Andromeda Galaxy never gets more thanabout five degrees above the horizon.As spring comes to the southern hemisphere, in late SeptemberAndromeda is highest in the sky around midnight though.In a single 30 second exposure this telephoto image trackedthe stars to capture the closest large spiral galaxyfrom Mount John Observatory as itclimbed just over the rugged peaks of thesouth island's Southern Alps.In the foreground, stars are reflected in the still waters ofLake Alexandrina.Also known as M31,the Andromeda Galaxy is one of the brightest objects in theMessier catalog,usually visible to the unaided eye as a small, faint, fuzzy patch.But thisclear, dark skyand long exposure revealthe galaxy's greater extent in planet Earth's night, spanning nearly 6 full moons. Tomorrow's picture: light-weekend<| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights apply.NASA WebPrivacy Policy and Important NoticesA service of:ASD...

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 22 NGC 1499: The California Nebula Image Credit &Copyright: Stephen Kennedy Explanation: Drifting through the Orion Arm of the spiral Milky Way Galaxy,this cosmic cloudby chance echoes the outline of California on the west coast of the United States.Our own Sun also lies within the Milky Way'sOrion Arm,only about 1,500 light-years from the CaliforniaNebula.Also known asNGC 1499, the classic emission nebula is around 100 light-years long.The California Nebula shines with the telltale reddish glowcharacteristic of hydrogen atoms recombining with long lostelectrons.The electrons have been stripped away,ionized by energetic starlight.Most likely providing the energetic starlightthat ionizes much of the nebular gas is the bright, hot starXi Perseijust to the right of the nebula. A popular target for astrophotographers, this deep imagereveals theglowing nebula, obscuring dust,and starsacross a 3 degree wide field of view.The California nebula lies toward the constellationPerseus, not far from the Pleiades. Tomorrow's picture: strange planet<| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific...

APOD: 2022 October 20 - Pillars of Creation Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe isfeatured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2022 October 20 Pillars of Creation Image Credit: Science -NASA,ESA,CSA,STScI,NIRCamProcessing - Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI) Explanation: A now famous picturefrom the Hubble Space Telescopefeatured these star forming columns of cold gas anddust light-years long inside M16, the Eagle Nebula, dubbed thePillars of Creation.ThisJames Webb Space Telescope NIRCam imageexpands Hubble's exploration of that region in greaterdetail and depthinside the iconic stellar nursery.Particularly stunning in Webb's near infrared view is the telltalereddish emission from knots of materialundergoing gravitational collapse to formstars withinthe natal clouds.The Eagle Nebula issome 6,500 light-years distant.The larger bright emission nebula is itself aneasy target for binoculars or small telescopes.M16 lies along the plane of our Milky Way galaxy in anebula rich part of the sky, toward thesplit constellation Serpens Cauda (the tail of the snake). Tomorrow's picture: andromeda in southern skies<| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights apply.NASA WebPrivacy Policy and Important NoticesA...