NGC 6960: The Witch's Broom Nebula
Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mount Lemmon SkyCenter, Univ. Arizona
Posted on 08/19/2008 5:05:14 PM PDT by sig226
Explanation: Ten thousand years ago, before the dawn of recorded human history, a new light must suddenly have appeared in the night sky and faded after a few weeks. Today we know this light was an exploding star and record the colorful expanding cloud as the Veil Nebula. Pictured above is the west end of the Veil Nebula known technically as NGC 6960 but less formally as the Witch's Broom Nebula. The expanding debris cloud gains its colors by sweeping up and exciting existing nearby gas. The supernova remnant lies about 1400 light-years away towards the constellation of Cygnus. This Witch's Broom actually spans over three times the angular size of the full Moon. The bright star 52 Cygni is visible with the unaided eye from a dark location but unrelated to the ancient supernova.
Gorgeous. We humans are SO insignificant in the Grand Scheme of Things, are we not? ;)
I just love these pictures. Keep ‘em coming! :)
Absolutely beautiful. Majestic.
I won’t accept that we are insignificant.
I just think that the Grand Scheme of Things is SO significant. It’s really sublime that we can not only be a part of it, but increasingly know how we are part of it.
That’s another good way to look at it. I just go breathless looking at a starry night when I walk the dogs late at night down the farm lane and there is nothing but corn (or glistening snow) around me and stars up above.
I guess what I really mean is that we’re very insignificant NOW; but just WAIT until the Afterlife when all will be revealed. :)
I’m no Holy Roller; I’m just a boring old Lutheran. It’s just that the immensity of our Universe underscores my belief that we are not just here “by accident.”
(Or maybe a painting at the art show at Lunacon)
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Those who have placed their faith in The Lord Jesus Christ will have all eternity to experience the wonders of God’s Created Universe.
Today’s APOD was exceptional. I changed my background image. :)
Amazing! Ancient fireworks in the sky.
Of course.
You are fortunate to have a clear, dark sky, and a peaceful life.
I am fortunate. But it took me 20 years to achieve it.
“Luck” is Hard Work meeting Opportunity. :)
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