The Veil Nebula NGC 6992 looks like someone accidentally spilled neon syrup on the black tablecloth of space. Before us are the remains of a star that exploded about 10,000–20,000 years ago. It was 20 times more massive than our Sun, but it couldn’t handle the internal pressure (we understand it)...
Continue readingOmega Nebula M17 (center) is a colossal cosmic "star factory" in the constellation Sagittarius, located 5,500 light-years from Earth. The incredible glow is provided by a supermassive cluster of 35 young giant stars hidden behind a dusty curtain. The mass of this gas chameleon, also called the...
Continue readingThe Lagoon Nebula (M8) is a cosmic nursery garden 4,000 light-years away, where infant stars are truly rebellious. At the very center of this gigantic gas nebula shines the star Herschel 36. It is 200,000 times brighter than our Sun and literally "blows" the surrounding clouds of hydrogen and dust...
Continue readingWhile everyone else is asleep at night, I'm stuck in a field with mosquitoes and a telescope for the Trifid Nebula (M20)! This beauty hides in the constellation Sagittarius 5,000 light-years from Earth. Its light has been shining since the first pyramids were built! M20 is a unique 3-in-1 cosmic...
Continue readingThe Eagle Nebula (M16) is an emission nebula in the constellation Serpens. It's 7,000 light-years away and doesn't even know I photographed it last night. Catching M16 photons in the sky is like catching tadpoles in the ocean, but with a harpoon instead of a fishing rod. The conditions are similar...
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