Posted on 09/29/2012 6:53:10 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Like delicate cosmic petals, these clouds of interstellar dust and gas have blossomed 1,300 light-years away in the fertile star fields of the constellation Cepheus. Sometimes called the Iris Nebula and dutifully cataloged as NGC 7023 this is not the only nebula in the sky to evoke the imagery of flowers. Still, this remarkable image shows off the Iris Nebula's range of colors and symmetries in impressive detail. Within the Iris, dusty nebular material surrounds a hot, young star. The dominant color of the brighter reflection nebula is blue, characteristic of dust grains reflecting starlight. Central filaments of the dusty clouds glow with a faint reddish photoluminesence as some dust grains effectively convert the star's invisible ultraviolet radiation to visible red light. Infrared observations indicate that this nebula may contain complex carbon molecules known as PAHs. The bright blue portion of the Iris Nebula is about six light-years across.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit & Copyright: Tony Hallas]
Ooooh! Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons!
|
perfectly LOVELY!
thank You, Civ!
WOW!
Can you perceive the Irish One?
Those heavenly bodies definitely merit further study.
Those are quite some “fertile star fields” you pictured there.... “heavenly bodies” indeed.
But it's fun to try.... :)
Thanks for the pings to these wonderful photos.
Looking over my shoulder to make sure Mrs. Cajun is not standing behind me.
No.
well something that magnificient probably just sprang up out of nothing...no intelligent design there at all...or just maybe...
Send ME out there and I'll allow myself to be mesmerized into oblivian.
This looks suspiciously like the painting the little dog did. He called it The Blue Boy. He was ripping off Gainsburough. He was painting with his tail....the dog, not Gainsburough. I don’t know, maybe Gainsburough had a tail. You never see a photo of him. Time enough to paint but no time for a photograph. Personally, I like his Mona Lisa better. The dog’s I mean. I don’t know, maybe Gainsburough painted the Mona Lisa. If he didn’t have time for a photo then he for sure didn’t have time to list all his paintings. I guess I’ll have another drink with him...the dog I mean. He can’t paint for squat but he’s a darn good bartender.
No redheads......
Irish gal on the left, clearly.
Do you have more test questions of similar import and challenge?
You’re right. I love this one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.