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Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA ^ | 9-17-09 | Credit: UV - NASA/Swift/Stefan Immler (GSFC) and Erin Grand (UMCP) Optical - Bill Schoening, Vanessa

Posted on 9/17/2009, 11:02:03 AM by paul in cape

Ultraviolet Andromeda

Explanation: Taken by a telescope onboard NASA's Swift satellite, this stunning vista represents the highest resolution image ever made of the Andromeda Galaxy (aka M31) - at ultraviolet wavelengths.

The mosaic is composed of 330 individual images covering a region 200,000 light-years wide.

It shows about 20,000 sources, dominated by hot, young stars and dense star clusters that radiate strongly in energetic ultraviolet light.

Of course, the Andromeda Galaxy is the closest large spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way, at a distance of some 2.5 million light-years.

To compare this gorgeous island universe's appearance in optical light with its ultraviolet portrait, just slide your cursor over the image.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: astronomy

1 posted on 9/17/2009, 11:02:03 AM by paul in cape
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To: paul in cape

Beautiful start to the day!


2 posted on 9/17/2009, 11:09:54 AM by secret garden (In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. - George Orwell)
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To: paul in cape

I would say that God does amazing work on His canvass. The ultimate Artist of astounding beauty.


3 posted on 9/17/2009, 11:13:25 AM by ICE-FLYER (God bless and keep the United States of America)
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To: paul in cape
Thanks for the APOD!

In this case, visiting today's APOD directly is well worth while:

  1. Using the "mouseover" feature there allows you to "flip" between the familiar visible-light image of M31, and this UV image. It really lets you appreciate the sharp resolution visible in UV.

  2. Clicking on the APOD image brings up a larger version -- and clicking on that one brings up an even larger one. Now I have yet another spectacular "desktop wallpaper"!

FWIW, my test for good "seeing" here in northeastern Texas is whether I can easily see M31 with my unaided eyes. ( Really good "seeing" is when I can do so before switching off our Hg-vapor security light...) ;-)

4 posted on 9/17/2009, 2:33:29 PM by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias...)
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