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Astronomy Picture of the Day 3-29-02
NASA ^ | 3-29-02 | Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell

Posted on 03/29/2002 3:17:07 PM PST by petuniasevan

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2002 March 29
See Explanation.  Clicking on the picture will download
 the highest resolution version available.

NGC 4631: The Whale Galaxy
Credit: Diane Zeiders, Adam Block (KPNO Visitor Program), NOAO, AURA, NSF

Explanation: NGC 4631 is a big beautiful spiral galaxy seen edge-on only 25 million light-years away towards the small northern constellation Canes Venatici. This galaxy's slightly distorted wedge shape suggests to some a cosmic herring and to others the popular moniker of The Whale Galaxy. Either way, it is similar in size to our own Milky Way. In this gorgeous color image, the Whale's dark interstellar dust clouds, young bright blue star clusters, and purplish star forming regions are easy to spot. A companion galaxy, the small elliptical NGC 4627 appears above the Whale Galaxy. Out of view off the lower left corner of the picture lies another distorted galaxy, the hockey stick-shaped NGC 4656. The distortions and mingling trails of gas and dust detected at other wavelengths suggest that all three galaxies have had close encounters with each other in their past. The Whale Galaxy is also known to have spouted a halo of hot gas glowing in x-rays.


TOPICS: Astronomy Picture of the Day; Miscellaneous; Science
KEYWORDS: dust; galaxy; gas; interstellar; photography; space; spiral; stars; telescope; universe
This photo was taken at the NOAO (National Optical Astronomy Observatory) at Kitt Peak, Arizona.

As always, request to be added to the APOD PING list!

1 posted on 03/29/2002 3:17:07 PM PST by petuniasevan
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To: MozartLover; Joan912; NovemberCharlie; snowfox; Dawgsquat; viligantcitizen; theDentist; grlfrnd...
APOD PING!
2 posted on 03/29/2002 3:19:24 PM PST by petuniasevan
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To: petuniasevan
The Whale Galaxy is special for some reason. :)
3 posted on 03/29/2002 3:26:01 PM PST by RightWhale
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To: petuniasevan
This thread is an incredible source of amazement to me. Thanks for the flag.
4 posted on 03/29/2002 3:33:58 PM PST by riley1992
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To: petuniasevan; Graewoulf
Glorious! Inspirational!

Wanting to see him,
I look up and see the spring galaxy.
Sparkling beautifully the spring galaxy
Makes me miss him even more.

5 posted on 03/29/2002 3:39:41 PM PST by 2Trievers
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To: petuniasevan
Thanks for the ping.
6 posted on 03/29/2002 3:48:49 PM PST by Vigilantcitizen
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To: petuniasevan
Cool, this particular picture makes a great desktop pic. And please add me to the PING list. Thanks!
7 posted on 03/29/2002 4:25:58 PM PST by Humbug
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To: Humbug
Sure thing!
8 posted on 03/29/2002 5:00:21 PM PST by petuniasevan
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To: petuniasevan
Incredible.

Thanks for the ping. :)

9 posted on 03/29/2002 5:22:11 PM PST by Joan912
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To: petuniasevan
Incredible.

Thanks for the ping. :)

10 posted on 03/29/2002 5:26:10 PM PST by Joan912
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To: petuniasevan
Awesome!
11 posted on 03/29/2002 5:53:44 PM PST by aomagrat
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To: petuniasevan
Add me on the APOD too.. I loved the Catseye Nebula ,, What a sight!!!




SEMPER FI
Norm

12 posted on 03/29/2002 6:10:33 PM PST by NormsRevenge
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To: petuniasevan
Please add me to your ping list.
Thanks!
13 posted on 03/29/2002 6:13:40 PM PST by sistergoldenhair
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To: petuniasevan
Thanks for putting me on your ping list. I like your choice of images. Keep up the great work!
14 posted on 03/29/2002 6:33:12 PM PST by Graewoulf
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To: Foghat
FYI
15 posted on 03/29/2002 7:09:15 PM PST by suni
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To: PetuniaSevan
Ping me too!
16 posted on 03/29/2002 7:12:50 PM PST by suni
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To: petuniasevan
Please add this amateur astronomer to your ping list. Thank you!

:)

17 posted on 03/30/2002 12:42:28 PM PST by RightlySo
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