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Astronomy Picture of the Day - The Magnetic Field of the Whirlpool Galaxy
APOD.NASA.gov ^
| 20 Jan, 2021
| Image Credit: NASA, SOFIA, HAWC+, Alejandro S. Borlaff; JPL-Caltech, ESA, Hubble; Text: Jayanne Engl
Posted on 01/20/2021 3:16:09 PM PST by MtnClimber
Explanation: Do magnetic fields always flow along spiral arms? Our face-on view of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) allows a spectacularly clear view of the spiral wave pattern in a disk-shaped galaxy. When observed with a radio telescope, the magnetic field appears to trace the arms' curvature. However, with NASA’s flying Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) observatory, the magnetic field at the outer edge of M51's disk appears to weave across the arms instead. Magnetic fields are inferred by grains of dust aligning in one direction and acting like polaroid glasses on infrared light. In the featured image, the field orientations determined from this polarized light are algorithmically connected, creating streamlines. Possibly the gravitational tug of the companion galaxy, at the top of the frame, on the dusty gas of the reddish star-forming regions, visible in the Hubble Space Telescope image, enhances turbulence -- stirring the dust and lines to produce the unexpected field pattern of the outer arms.
TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: gps; magneticfield; magnetism; nasa; poleshift
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For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then zoom by moving the magnifying glass over an area and then clicking. The side bars will move the zoomed area over the photograph.
To: MtnClimber
2
posted on
01/20/2021 3:16:39 PM PST
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: MtnClimber
M51, normal view
3
posted on
01/20/2021 3:17:09 PM PST
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: 21stCenturion; 21twelve; 4everontheRight; abb; AFB-XYZ; America_Right; Art in Idaho; AZ .44 MAG; ...
Pinging the APOD list.
🪐 🌟 🌌
4
posted on
01/20/2021 3:17:40 PM PST
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: MtnClimber
Looks like the thumb print of God...
5
posted on
01/20/2021 3:19:40 PM PST
by
tet68
( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
To: MtnClimber
So... Groom Lake is at the center of this galaxy???
That would explain a lot of things...
6
posted on
01/20/2021 3:39:09 PM PST
by
SuperLuminal
(Where is Sam Adams now that we desperately need him)
To: MtnClimber
That looks vaguely van Goghish.
7
posted on
01/20/2021 3:44:23 PM PST
by
diatomite
(That grifter crook Biden or Kamella isn't my president and never will be!! Resist!!.)
To: MtnClimber
It would be interesting to see this without the galaxy superimposed. Would the spiral structure even be apparent?
To: diatomite
9
posted on
01/20/2021 3:53:10 PM PST
by
diatomite
(That grifter crook Biden or Kamella isn't my president and never will be!! Resist!!.)
To: diatomite
It does look like Starry Night
10
posted on
01/20/2021 4:13:11 PM PST
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: Telepathic Intruder
It looks like the magnetic lines are somewhat spiral in the center, but the outside edges don’t seem to match the spiral arm.
11
posted on
01/20/2021 4:16:31 PM PST
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: diatomite
And it sounds like their best selling stainless model. Made in the USA
12
posted on
01/20/2021 4:18:58 PM PST
by
NWFree
To: MtnClimber
13
posted on
01/20/2021 4:36:52 PM PST
by
Chode
(Ashli Babbitt - #SayHerNAME)
To: MtnClimber
Looks like my trusty Boy Scout compass will work to navigate that galaxy when I get there.
14
posted on
01/20/2021 6:21:05 PM PST
by
doorgunner69
("Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.." -Joseph Stalin)
To: MtnClimber
Where is the Kenmore Galaxy?.............................
15
posted on
01/21/2021 5:40:20 AM PST
by
Red Badger
(TREASON is the REASON for the SLEAZIN'.................................)
To: Red Badger
Where is the Kenmore Galaxy? You can find that on aisle 7 sir.
16
posted on
01/21/2021 5:44:10 AM PST
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: MtnClimber
Looks like hillarys brain
17
posted on
01/21/2021 5:44:25 AM PST
by
RedwM
To: MtnClimber
Not here.
Our Sears closed.
Our Penny’s closed.
Our K-Mart closed.
Our McRae’s closed.................................
18
posted on
01/21/2021 5:46:09 AM PST
by
Red Badger
(TREASON is the REASON for the SLEAZIN'.................................)
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