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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Merope's Reflection Nebula
NASA ^ | February 15, 2012 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 02/15/2012 3:49:22 AM PST by SunkenCiv

Explanation: Reflection nebulas reflect light from a nearby star. Many small carbon grains in the nebula reflect the light. The blue color typical of reflection nebula is caused by blue light being more efficiently scattered by the carbon dust than red light. The brightness of the nebula is determined by the size and density of the reflecting grains, and by the color and brightness of the neighboring star(s). NGC 1435, pictured above, surrounds Merope (23 Tau), one of the brightest stars in the Pleiades (M45). The Pleiades nebulosity is caused by a chance encounter between an open cluster of stars and a dusty molecular cloud.

February 15, 2012

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: 23tau; apod; astronomy; merope; ngc1435; pleiades; science
[Credit & Copyright: Leonardo Orazi]

1 posted on 02/15/2012 3:49:33 AM PST by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...

2 posted on 02/15/2012 3:51:36 AM PST by SunkenCiv (FReep this FReepathon!)
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To: SunkenCiv

Is that anywhere near the Moons Of Meepzorp?


3 posted on 02/15/2012 4:11:42 AM PST by left that other site
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To: SunkenCiv

Especially loved this one and the previous one. I save about 90% of them and use them as wallpaper and screen savers. Thank you very much for posting these.


4 posted on 02/15/2012 4:13:06 AM PST by Mycroft Holmes (Mash name for HTML primer)
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To: SunkenCiv

5 posted on 02/15/2012 4:53:57 AM PST by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet - Mater tua caligas gerit ;-{)
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To: SunkenCiv

The Pleiades are far and away the most beautiful cluster of stars in the night sky with the right scope. I’ve introduced a number of people to stargazing by starting with them.

“See that fuzzy cluster there?”
“Yeah.”
*points scope at it*
“Take a look.”
“Oh... my... God... that’s breathtaking. Show me more!”


6 posted on 02/15/2012 5:36:59 AM PST by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
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To: rarestia

I had the same reaction when I saw the Kate Upton pictures this week.


7 posted on 02/15/2012 12:40:29 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj
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