APOD: 2023 February 3 - Polaris and the Trail of Comet ZTF 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. 2023 February 3 Polaris and the Trail of Comet ZTF Image Credit &Copyright:David Ibarra Gomez Explanation: Stars trace concentric arcsaround the North Celestial Pole in thisthree hour long night sky composite,recorded with a digital camera fixed to a tripodon January 31, near Àger, Lleida, Spain.On that dateComet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)was near its northernmost declination inplanet Earth's sky.That put the comet about 10 degrees fromEarth's North Celestial Polemaking the comet's positioncircumpolar,always above the horizon, from all locations onplanet Earth at more than 10 degrees northern latitude.In the startrail image,the extension of Earth's axis of rotation into space is at the left.North star Polaristraces the short,bright, concentric arc less than a degree from theNorth Celestial Pole.The trail of Comet ZTF is indicated at the right,its apparent motionmostlyreflecting Earth'srotation like the stars.But heading for its closest approach to planet Earth on February 1,the comet is also moving significantlywith respect to the background stars.The diffuse greenish trail of Comet ZTF is an almost concentricarc mingled with startrails as it...
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. 2023 February 4 NGC 2626 along the Vela Molecular Ridge Image Credit &Copyright:Mike Selby &Mark Hanson Explanation: Centered in thiscolorful cosmic canvas,NGC 2626 is a beautiful,bright, blue reflection nebula in the southern Milky Way.Next to an obscuring dust cloud andsurrounded by reddish hydrogen emission from largeH II regionRCW 27 it lies within a complex ofdusty molecular clouds known as theVela Molecular Ridge.NGC 2626is itself a cloud of interstellar dustreflecting blue light from the young hot embedded starvisible within the nebula.But astronomicalexplorationsreveal many other young starsand associated nebulae in the star-forming region.NGC 2626 is about 3,200 light-years away.At that distance this telescopic field of view would spanabout 30 light-years along theVela Molecular Ridge. Tomorrow's picture: moon by planetlight <| 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: 2023 February 2 - Reflections on the 1970s 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. 2023 February 2 Reflections on the 1970s Image Credit &Copyright:Daniel Stern Explanation: The 1970s aresometimes ignored by astronomers.For example, this beautiful grouping of reflection nebulaein Orion - NGC 1977, NGC 1975, and NGC 1973 - isusually overlooked in favor of the substantial glow from thenearby stellar nursery better known asthe Orion Nebula.Found along Orion's sword just northof the bright Orion Nebula complex, these reflection nebulae arealso associated with Orion's giant molecular cloud about1,500 light-years away, butare dominated by the characteristic blue color of interstellardust reflectinglight from hot young stars.In this sharp color imagea portion of the Orion Nebula appearsalong the bottom border with the clusterof reflection nebulaeat picture center.NGC 1977stretches across the field just below center,separated from NGC 1973 (above right) and NGC 1975 (above left)by dark regions laced with faint red emission fromhydrogen atoms.Taken together, the dark regions suggest the popular moniker, theRunning Man Nebula.At the estimated distance of Orion's dusty molecular cloud this running manwould be about 15 light-years across. Tomorrow's picture: the trail of Comet...
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. 2023 February 3 Polaris and the Trail of Comet ZTF Image Credit &Copyright:David Ibarra Gomez Explanation: Stars trace concentric arcsaround the North Celestial Pole in thisthree hour long night sky composite,recorded with a digital camera fixed to a tripodon January 31, near Àger, Lleida, Spain.On that dateComet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)was near its northernmost declination inplanet Earth's sky.That put the comet about 10 degrees fromEarth's North Celestial Polemaking the comet's positioncircumpolar,always above the horizon, from all locations onplanet Earth at more than 10 degrees northern latitude.In the startrail image,the extension of Earth's axis of rotation into space is at the left.North star Polaristraces the short,bright, concentric arc less than a degree from theNorth Celestial Pole.The trail of Comet ZTF is indicated at the right,its apparent motionmostlyreflecting Earth'srotation like the stars.But heading for its closest approach to planet Earth on February 1,the comet is also moving significantlywith respect to the background stars.The diffuse greenish trail of Comet ZTF is an almost concentricarc mingled with startrails as it sweeps through thelong-necked constellation Camelopardalis. Tomorrow's picture:...
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. 2023 February 2 Reflections on the 1970s Image Credit &Copyright:Daniel Stern Explanation: The 1970sare sometimes ignored by astronomers,like this beautiful grouping of reflection nebulaein Orion - NGC 1977, NGC 1975, and NGC 1973 - usually overlooked in favor of the substantial glow from thenearby stellar nursery better known asthe Orion Nebula.Found along Orion's sword just northof the bright Orion Nebula complex, these reflection nebulae arealso associated with Orion's giant molecular cloud about1,500 light-years away, butare dominated by the characteristic blue color of interstellardust reflectinglight from hot young stars.In this sharp color imagea portion of the Orion Nebula appearsalong the bottom border with the clusterof reflection nebulaeat picture center.NGC 1977stretches across the field just below center,separated from NGC 1973 (above right) and NGC 1975 (above left)by dark regions laced with faint red emission fromhydrogen atoms.Taken together, the dark regions suggest the region's popular moniker, theRunning Man Nebula.At the estimated distance of Orion's dusty molecular cloud this running manwould be about 15 light-years across. Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space <| Archive| Submissions | Index|...
APOD: 2023 January 27 - Comet ZTF: Orbital Plane Crossing 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. 2023 January 27 Comet ZTF: Orbital Plane Crossing Image Credit &Copyright:Dan Bartlett Explanation: The current darlingof thenorthern night,Comet C/2022 E3 ZTFis captured in this telescopic image from a dark sky locationat June Lake, California, USA.Of course Comet ZTFhas beengrowing brighterin recent days,headed for its closest approach to Earth on February 1. But this view was recorded on January 23, very close to the timeplanet Earth crossed the orbital plane oflong-periodComet ZTF.The comet's broad, whitish dust tail is still curved andfanned outaway from the Sun as Comet ZTF sweeps along its orbit.Due to perspective near theorbital planecrossing, components of the fanned out dust tail appearon both sides of the comet's green tinted coma though, to lendComet ZTF a visually striking (left)anti-tail.Buffeted by solar activitythe comet's narrower ion tail also streams awayfrom the coma diagonally to the right,across the nearly three degree wide field of view. Comet ZTF Gallery: Notable Submissions to APOD Tomorrow's picture: over the mountain <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD|...
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. 2023 January 27 Comet ZTF: Orbital Plane Crossing Image Credit &Copyright:Dan Bartlett Explanation: The current darlingof thenorthern night,Comet C/2022 E3 ZTFis captured in this telescopic image from a dark sky locationat June Lake, California.Of course Comet ZTFhas beengrowing brighterin recent days,headed for its closest approach to Earth on February 1. But this view was recorded on January 23, very close to the timeplanet Earth crossed the orbital plane oflong-periodComet ZTF.The comet's broad, whitish dust tail is still curved andfanned outaway from the Sun as Comet ZTF sweeps along its orbit.Due to perspective near theorbital planecrossing, components of the fanned out dust tail appearon both sides of the comet's green tinted coma though, to lendComet ZTF a visually striking (left)anti-tail.Buffeted by solar activitythe comet's narrower ion tail also streams awayfrom the coma diagonally to the right,across the nearly three degree wide field of view. Tomorrow's picture: over the mountain <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific...
APOD: 2023 January 26 - Active Galaxy NGC 1275 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. 2023 January 26 Active Galaxy NGC 1275 Image Credit: NASA,ESA, Hubble Heritage,A. Fabian (University of Cambridge, UK) Explanation: ActivegalaxyNGC 1275 is the central, dominant member of the large andrelatively nearbyPerseus Cluster of Galaxies.Wild-looking at visible wavelengths, the active galaxy is also aprodigious source ofx-raysandradio emission.NGC 1275 accretesmatter as entire galaxies fall into it, ultimatelyfeeding a supermassive black hole at the galaxy's core.This color compositeimage made from Hubble Space Telescopedata recorded during 2006.It highlights the resultinggalactic debrisand filaments of glowing gas,some up to 20,000 light-years long.The filaments persistin NGC 1275, even thoughthe turmoil of galactic collisions should destroy them. What keeps the filaments together?Observationsindicate that the structures, pushed outfrom the galaxy's center by the black hole's activity, areheld together by magnetic fields.Also known as Perseus A,NGC 1275 spans over 100,000 light years andlies about 230 million light years away. Tomorrow's picture: crossing the plane <| Archive| Submissions | Index| Search| Calendar| RSS| Education| About APOD| Discuss| > Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff(MTU) &Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)NASA Official: Phillip NewmanSpecific rights...
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. 2023 January 26 Active Galaxy NGC 1275 Image Credit: NASA,ESA, Hubble Heritage,A. Fabian (University of Cambridge, UK) Explanation: ActivegalaxyNGC 1275 is the central, dominant member of the large andrelatively nearbyPerseus Cluster of Galaxies.Wild-looking at visible wavelengths, the active galaxy is also aprodigious source ofx-raysandradio emission.NGC 1275 accretesmatter as entire galaxies fall into it, ultimatelyfeeding a supermassive black hole at the galaxy's core.This color compositeimage made from Hubble Space Telescopedata recorded during 2006.It highlights the resultinggalactic debrisand filaments of glowing gas,some up to 20,000 light-years long.The filaments persistin NGC 1275, even thoughthe turmoil of galactic collisions should destroy them. What keeps the filaments together?Observationsindicate that the structures, pushed outfrom the galaxy's center by the black hole's activity, areheld together by magnetic fields.Also known as Perseus A,NGC 1275 spans over 100,000 light years andlies about 230 million light years away. Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space <| 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...
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. 2023 January 21 Naked-eye Comet ZTF Image Credit &Copyright: Óscar Martín Mesonero (Organización Salmantina de la Astronáutica y el Espacio) Explanation: Comet C/2022E3 (ZTF) is no longer too dim to require a telescope for viewing.By January 19, itcould just be seenwith the naked eye in thisrural sky with little light pollution from a location about 20 kilometersfrom Salamanca, Spain.Still, telescopic imagesare needed to show any hint of the comet's pretty greencoma, stubby whitish dust tail, and long ion tail.Its faint ion tailhas been buffeted byrecent solar activity.This visitor from thedistant Oort cloudrounded the Sun on January 12.and is now sweeping through stars near thenorthern boundaryof the constellation Bootes.Outward boundbut still growing brighter, Comet ZTF makes its closest approachon February 2, coming to within about 2.4 light-minutes of our fair planet. Tomorrow's picture: in green company <| 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&...
APOD: 2023 January 20 - Galaxy Wars: M81 and M82 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. 2023 January 20 Galaxy Wars: M81 and M82 Image Credit &Copyright: Andreas Aufschnaiter Explanation: The two dominant galaxies near centerare far far away, 12 million light-years distanttoward the northern constellation of the Great Bear.On the right, with grand spiral arms and bright yellow core isspiral galaxy M81.Also known as Bode's galaxy, M81 spans some 100,000light-years.On the left is cigar-shaped irregular galaxy M82. The pair have been locked in gravitational combat for a billion years.Gravityfrom each galaxy has profoundly affected the other duringa series of cosmic close encounters. Their last go-round lasted about 100 million years andlikely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81'sspiral arms. M82was left with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic that the galaxyglows in X-rays. In the next few billion years, theircontinuing gravitational encounters will result in a merger, and asingle galaxy will remain.This extragalactic scenario also includes other members of the interactingM81 galaxy groupwith NGC 3077 below and right of the large spiral, andNGC...
APOD: 2023 January 19 - The Seagull 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. 2023 January 19 The Seagull Nebula Image Credit &Copyright: Carlos Taylor Explanation: A broad expanse of glowing gas and dust presentsa bird-like visage to astronomersfrom planet Earth,suggesting its popular moniker - The Seagull Nebula.Using narrowband image data,this 3-panel mosaic of the cosmic birdcovers a 2.5 degree swath across the plane of the Milky Way,near the direction of Sirius,alpha starof the constellation Canis Major.Likely part of a larger shell structureswept up by successive supernova explosions,the broad Seagull Nebula is cataloged as Sh2-296 and IC 2177.The prominent bluish arc below and right of center is a bow shock fromrunaway starFN Canis Majoris.This complex of gas and dust clouds with other stars of theCanis Majoris OB1association spans over 200 light-years at the Seagull Nebula's estimated3,800 light-year distance. Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space <| 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.
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. 2023 January 20 Galaxy Wars: M81 and M82 Image Credit &Copyright: Andreas Aufschnaiter Explanation: The two dominant galaxies near centerare far far away, 12 million light-years distanttoward the northern constellation of the Great Bear.On the right, with grand spiral arms and bright yellow core isspiral galaxy M81.Also known as Bode's galaxy, M81 spans some 100,000light-years.On the left is cigar-shaped irregular galaxy M82. The pair have been locked in gravitational combat for a billion years.Gravityfrom each galaxy has profoundly affected the other duringa series of cosmic close encounters. Their last go-round lasted about 100 million years andlikely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81'sspiral arms. M82was left with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic that the galaxyglows in X-rays. In the next few billion years, theircontinuing gravitational encounters will result in a merger, and asingle galaxy will remain.This extragalactic scenario also includes other members of the interactingM81 galaxy groupwith NGC 3077 below and right of the large spiral, andNGC 2976 at upper right in...
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. 2023 January 19 The Seagull Nebula Image Credit &Copyright: Carlos Taylor Explanation: A broad expanse of glowing gas and dust presentsa bird-like visage to astronomersfrom planet Earth,suggesting its popular moniker - The Seagull Nebula.Using narrowband image data,this 3-panel mosaic of the cosmic birdcovers a 2.5 degree swath across the plane of the Milky Way,near the direction of Sirius,alpha starof the constellation Canis Major.Likely part of a larger shell structureswept up by successive supernova explosions,the broad Seagull Nebula is cataloged as Sh2-296 and IC 2177.The prominent bluish arc below and right of center is a bow shock fromrunaway starFN Canis Majoris.This complex of gas and dust clouds with other stars of theCanis Majoris OB1association spans over 200 light-years at the Seagull Nebula's estimated3,800 light-year distance. Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space <| 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.