Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Grand Spiral Galaxy NGC 1232

NASA ^ | January 07, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: Galaxies are fascinating not only for what is visible, but for what is invisible. Grand spiral galaxy NGC 1232, captured in detail by one of the new Very Large Telescopes, is a good example. The visible is dominated by millions of bright stars and dark dust, caught up in a gravitational swirl of spiral arms revolving about the center. Open clusters containing bright blue stars can be seen sprinkled along these spiral arms, while dark lanes of dense interstellar dust can be seen sprinkled between them. Less visible, but detectable, are billions of dim normal stars and vast tracts of interstellar gas, together wielding such high mass that they dominate the dynamics of the inner galaxy. Invisible are even greater amounts of matter in a form we don't yet know - pervasive dark matter needed to explain the motions of the visible in the outer galaxy.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: FORS, 8.2-meter VLT Antu, ESO]

[SunkenCiv]

Discovery + Outreach: Graduate student research position open for APOD

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[Dallas59]

I wonder if anyone is there?

[bigheadfred]

Dang. A research position and APOD. I would, except, being a middle-aged BDMF takes all my time.

[CGalen]

“I wonder if anyone is there?”

---

It would be absolutely incredible if anybody lived there.

However, it would be even MORE incredible if nobody lived there.

[ExCTCitizen]

I’m trying to see if there is any intelligent life in Washington.

[jimtorr]

I wonder if anyone is there?

That question brings up the old joke:

Q: How can you tell there is intelligent life out there?

A: They haven't contacted us!

[bigheadfred]

I’m trying to see if there is any intelligent life in Washington.

Look down, not up.

[ixtl]

Your joke reiminds me of another one... Astronomers have determined that other galaxies are moving away from us at a speed of x miles per second.

Do you supporse they know something?

[NH Red]

Thanks for the posting the photos. I have been using the ones I like as my wallpaper for the past 3 months.

[dayglored]

Thank you SO much for posting this.

There is nothing in the Universe that so convinces me of God's presence and overwhelming good nature, as a view of a spiral galaxy like that.

Unless perhaps, it's the sight of a newborn baby. :)

Both fill me with boundless joy, and profound humility.

Thank you again!

[True Republican Patriot]

NEGATIVE ON THAT HOPE!
Don/t continue to waste your time on that thought!

[left that other site]

Thanks, SunkenCiv! That one is particularly lovely!

[SunkenCiv]

Well put.

[SunkenCiv]

Go for it! :’)

[SunkenCiv]

LOL!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the kind remarks!

[leapfrog0202]

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

beautiful