The Dumbbells
Credit & Copyright: Daniel López, IAC
Posted on 12/17/2008 3:54:46 PM PST by sig226
Explanation: These two nebulae are cataloged as M27 (left) and M76, popularly known as The Dumbbell and the Little Dumbbell. Not intended to indicate substandard mental prowess, their popular names refer to their similar, dumbbell or hourglass shapes. Both are planetary nebulae, gaseous shrouds cast off by dying sunlike stars, and are similar in physical size, at a light-year or so across. In each panel, the images were made at the same scale, so the apparent size difference is mostly because one is closer. Distance estimates suggest 1,200 light-years for the Dumbbell compared to 3,000 light-years or more for the Little Dumbell. These deep, narrow-band, false-color images show some remarkably complex structures in M27 and M76, highlighting emission from hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms within the cosmic clouds.
"Nebulas mating dance" it should be titled.
I’d call the one on the left the “Planet Earth Nebula”.
Beautiful!
The ski goggle galaxy ;)
You reckon God will let us roam around and see things like this for ourselves? It's a major hope of mine.
MM (in TX)
I suppose if we make it we will have the time!
Looks like Trelaine’s parents from “Star Trek”.
I once came in contact with a Bible verse that seem to say that. I haven't found it since and will continue to look for it. Does anyone else know which verse I am referring to?
I would hate to be a nonbeliever in hell knowing that those Christians are getting to do all the exploring of the far reaches of the universe while I continue suffering torment in the lake of fire.
If you find it, please pass it on to me. I often wonder just what heaven will be like, will we be allowed to leave and explore, etc. Will we be able to fly? :-)
MM (in TX)
Will do. The Bible says the Universe is like a scroll. I sometimes think that sin caused it to unroll and it still is unrolling, but that The LORD will reroll it back up tightly, lasting forever, when He makes all things new again. I am guessing that so called “worm holes”, or something similar, but perfect, will allow quick travel to the vast outreaches of the universe. This will be accomplished by quickly going through them to other parts of the tightly rolled up “scroll” into the vast reaches of our universe. Just my fun guess, but who knows, except Him, of course.
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