We have all seen the Hubble pics of the “Pillars of Creation,” a massive nebulous star forming dust cloud. But now we see it better with the James Webb. Behold:
I can’t wait for more!
Hubble has a new supernova discovery to its credit. This one is dubbed SN 2013ek. Another supernova was discovered in this same galaxy last year, and very close to the same spot as this new one. Which is raising a few eyebrows. Indeed they believe these two events could be linked.
The nova is the bright starlike object just above and to the right of the bright galactic nucleus. The other objects in that galaxy that look similar are likely knots of young stars, or large globular clusters, that are fairly commonly found in galaxies, even our own. My only regret is this object is so far south from my location I won’t be able to turn a telescope in its direction to see if I can spot it.
This is indeed the age of discovery. I am happy to be alive in this era. I have personally seen our species move from earth bound species, with rotary phones and black and white television to putting man on the moon, in space, and having a host of space bound observatories, Mars rovers, planetary probes, cell phones, high speed internet, etc etc. It is in some strange way, a sense of pride seeing and experiencing the advances we have made along the way. Besides family, I think the biggest thing I will miss when I no longer exist, will be the ever advancing rate of our technology, and not knowing where it may lead…
http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/stellar-explosions-in-ngc-6984/#.Un-JbPlOPaq
Hubble never ceases to amaze me. This picture of two galaxies, one essentially ripping the other apart, is gorgeous. Never mind the fact that when you look at it it resembles a penguin (NGC 2936), guarding its egg (NGC 2937). This combination of galaxies is known as ARP 142. I am probably an odd sort, as I always like to play “spot the other galaxies” in Hubble pics, I can see at least 10 that I’m pretty sure of, there is probably more, and no I don’t have anything better to do…
What I find intriguing here, is that usually when two galaxies interact there is a mutual warping of structure. In this case, at this point in time, the fuzzy blob galaxy (NGC 2937) appears unperturbed while the penguin (NGC 2936) is being ripped to shreds. The penguin was before this incident, an often seen spiral galaxy. The fuzzy blob was and still is what is known as an elliptical galaxy, that seems unconcerned of its devastating force being exerted upon what once was a beautiful spiral structure.
I wonder why is the NGC 2937 not noticeably distorting? Is its gravitational pull so strong it simply overwhelms the penguin? If that is the case, it must be a hugely dense galaxy. I wonder what an infared pic might reveal here? I also wonder when the penguin gets pulled closer and closer, will the fuzzy blob inevitably begin to distort? I can’t imagine that not being the case. Only time will tell I suppose, and I won’t live long enough to know the answers. In the meantime I can only look on in amazement as the galactical drama unfolds. Reality TV at its best.
Something else I’m curious of in the pic, is the filaments of darker material, that often lines the arms of spiral galaxies. Much of it appears to have been yanked free of the spiral arms, and has formed into the long strands that seemingly are being sucked down the drain, so to speak. As if, during the reshaping process, that matter was distilled out of the arms, and coalesced into the cloud-like strands seen here. Or maybe it is just loose material swept up in this reorganization. I do hope someone with a better grasp of this situation does a full write up, so I can get a better understanding of what is going on.
More here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130620132225.htm
…and much more needed to satisfy my curiosity. Paging Phil Plait…
EDIT: My favorite professional astronomer Phil Plait, got around to doing a blog post on this subject. So for more info on the matter (pun?) go here:
Questioning the conventional wisdom
A blog about just about anything and everything
Random musings about everything.
Guitar gear, guitar myths and guitar accessory reviews plus guitar amps and effects pedals.
Things I want to say about this, that, and the other thing.
I don’t want to start a class war; it started a long time ago and, unfortunately, we lost.
Searching for truth while leaving tradition behind.
by Frank O'Meara
One minute info blogs escaping the faith trap
Welcome — Come Immerse, Convalesce, Spark Dialogue or Simply Discern
observations from the sidelines
something to honk about
Critical thinking, skepticism, and motherhood
No matter how you read the Blog title, it's me!
Life is a journey. Let us meet at the intersection and share a story.
*Not really about marriage. Welcome anyway.
What is the right question?
Into the Gray
Reflection
Atheism, pure & simple
An Island of Critical Thought In a Sea of Superstition
Satirical & Poetic Musings Of A Self-Proclaimed Nobel Prize Winner
Don't ask me to be an idiot
Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
Don't ask me to be an idiot
How one atheist sees life
Science and philosophy
Fighting pseudoscience and quackery with reason and evidence.
I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, 'wouldn't it be much worse if life *were* fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them?' So now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe. - M. Cole
Antievolutionist nonsense, science, and whatever else I wish to hold forth on.
Evidence Based Reality 