Random Astronomy Pictures OTD

Posting 4 times daily

Posting archive pictures from NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day as seen at
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

(Unofficial bot)

See also @apod for a new picture each day.

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2025-04-06 01:30:32

APOD from 2014-02-17
The Cosmic Web of the Tarantula #Nebula
The Tarantula Nebula, in the Large Magellanic Cloud, is the largest star-forming region nearby. Spanning 1,000 light-years, it would dwarf Orion if closer. Its arms encircle NGC 2070, a cluster with massive stars and recent supernovae.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140217.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/114/284/144/643/337/211/original/9667cbc33ae746df.jpg

2024-12-08 19:32:09

APOD from 2018-03-02
Alborz Mountain Star Trails
Star trails arc over Iran's Alborz Mountains in this composite image. Fixed-camera exposures reveal concentric star arcs around the south celestial pole, with colors indicating star temperatures—blue for hot stars, yellow for cooler ones. The pink trail near the center is from the Orion Nebula.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap180302.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/615/998/188/314/113/original/e99a111d724a1dd0.jpg

2024-11-16 19:29:32

APOD from 2015-06-17
M45: The Pleiades Star Cluster
The Pleiades star cluster, visible without binoculars, reveals a dusty surrounding in long-exposure images. A 12-hour shot shows this dust cloud, which is larger than the full moon in the sky. Located 400 light-years away in Taurus, it's also known as M45 or the Seven Sisters, though the number of stars seen varies by eyesight and sky darkness.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150617.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/491/416/692/016/035/original/fbc4d460a77f051d.jpg

2024-11-14 13:31:05

APOD from 2018-01-14
Three Galaxies and a #Comet
This stunning nightscape captures the Milky Way, Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, and Comet McNaught over Patagonia's rugged terrain. Spanning 100 degrees, it combines diffuse starlight, dark nebulae, and celestial wonders in one frame.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap180114.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/480/098/151/856/534/original/cfa2c389d7b6a471.jpg

2024-11-13 13:29:55

APOD from 2013-01-15
A Solar Ballet
NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory captured a solar prominence eruption on New Year's Eve in ultraviolet light. This magnetic field-driven event, where hot plasma dances before falling back to the Sun, was so large it could cover Earth. As the Sun approaches Solar Maximum, such activity is expected to increase.
Video at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130115.html

2024-11-13 07:29:56

APOD from 2017-05-21
In the Center of the Lagoon #Nebula
The Lagoon Nebula's center features star formation and funnel-shaped clouds formed by stellar winds and starlight. Hershel 36 illuminates it, while dust walls obscure other stars. Shearing winds from temperature differences may shape the funnels. Captured by Hubble in 1995, M8 is 5,000 light-years away in Sagittarius.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170521.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/474/430/973/395/852/original/0dae4f7c531378ba.jpg

2024-11-10 01:28:01

APOD from 2010-05-12
M72: A Globular Cluster of Stars
Once abundant, less than 200 globular clusters remain in the Milky Way, many lost to galactic tides. These ancient structures predate all Earth fossils. Hubble captured M72, a cluster 50,000 light-years away in Aquarius, showing its 100,000 stars over 50 light years.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100512.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/451/774/783/749/033/original/7f062873ced9d072.jpg

2024-11-08 19:29:16

APOD from 2020-11-18
A Double Star Cluster in Perseus
The double star cluster "h and chi Persei" (NGC 869 & NGC 884) in Perseus is visible without binoculars. Over 7,000 light-years away and only hundreds apart, they likely formed together from the same region, as noted by Hipparchus.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap201118.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/446/117/552/054/719/original/f76df9df84f024c8.jpg

2024-11-08 13:29:11

APOD from 2024-03-11
A Full Plankton #Moon
A night scene shows the Moon's reddish descent near the equator and unusual blue glows from bioluminescent plankton on a Maldivian beach, both colored by light-scattering effects.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240311.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/446/116/970/299/236/original/8bc4ca1a70ff4f03.jpg

2024-11-08 07:29:10

APOD from 2021-03-23
#Mars over Duddo Stone Circle
The Duddo Five Stones, a mysterious stone circle in Northumberland, England, date back 4000 years. A composite image shows them under a starry sky with bright Mars, captured last October. Mars will be visible at sunset but closer to the horizon in coming months.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap210323.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/446/116/733/595/093/original/a6f647a622781c66.jpg

2024-11-08 01:29:31

APOD from 2005-05-23
A Wave Maker #Moon in #Saturn's Rings
Cassini images reveal small waves in Saturn's rings caused by a new 7km moon in the Keeler gap. The moon's gravity disturbs nearby particles, creating waves visible only in leading inner and trailing outer ring particles due to their orbital speeds.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050523.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/440/456/240/677/216/original/6bd42f778ded97ad.jpg

2024-11-07 19:29:34

APOD from 2021-12-21
Solstice Sun and Milky Way
December's solstice marks winter's start in the north and summer in the south. The Sun reaches its southernmost point at -23.5 degrees today, aligning with Sagittarius near the Milky Way center. This panorama shows what the solstice Sun would look like against the galaxy's backdrop.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap211221.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/440/455/919/799/213/original/1d786231cb168751.jpg

2024-11-07 13:29:31

APOD from 2017-02-25
All #Planets Panorama
This 360-degree panorama captures seven planets along the ecliptic from Nacpan Beach, Philippines. Taken over Jan 24-26, it features the zodiacal light, Milky Way, and planets from Mercury to Neptune against morning and evening skies. A labeled version is available online.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170225.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/440/455/621/527/471/original/dff10d5e5e91c80c.jpg

2024-11-07 07:29:42

APOD from 2024-04-16
Filaments of the Vela Supernova Remnant
Eleven millennia ago, a star in Vela exploded, briefly visible to early humans. Its shock wave, still expanding, is captured in the featured image. The remnant's center houses a pulsar spinning over ten times per second.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240416.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/440/455/329/421/974/original/bdce09de93904d83.jpg

2024-11-07 01:30:09

APOD from 2023-10-14
Circular Sun Halo
Sun halos, like the one photographed near Rome, are formed by ice crystals in high clouds creating a 22-degree ring. Visible more often than rainbows, they can be seen by blocking the Sun with a fingertip. Today's partial solar eclipse offers a rarer "ring of fire" to those along the Moon's shadow path.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap231014.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/434/796/549/212/419/original/92cd04d4f0711119.jpg

2024-11-06 19:30:15

APOD from 2005-07-08
NGC 4565: #Galaxy on the Edge
Edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 4565, the Needle Galaxy, resides in Coma Berenices. Its bright core of older stars and dust lanes is visible in this color image. Similar to the Milky Way, it's 30 million light-years away and over 100,000 light-years across—a celestial masterpiece.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050708.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/434/796/258/661/732/original/5deecb3b3870ca2a.jpg

2024-11-06 07:30:07

APOD from 2021-10-26
#Jupiter Rotates
Jupiter's atmosphere, with its dark belts and light zones, rotates at varying speeds. The Great Red Spot appears in a high-res time-lapse video taken from Paris. Despite its size, Jupiter spins in 10 hours, unlike Earth's 24-hour cycle. The colors of its gas giant atmosphere remain under study.
Video at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap211026.html

2024-11-06 01:30:02

APOD from 2021-08-27
Elephant's Trunk and Caravan
The Elephant's Trunk Nebula, part of the IC 1396 star cluster in Cepheus, stretches over 20 light-years. This image, with stars digitally removed, showcases its interstellar dust and gas. Hidden within are protostars. The complex lies 3,000 light-years away and spans an area twice the size of full moons.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap210827.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/429/134/066/344/080/original/b2b2f5a90a3324e2.jpg

2024-11-05 19:29:57

APOD from 2014-05-18
#Jupiter's Great Red Spot from Voyager 1
Jupiter's Great Red Spot, a storm larger than Earth, has been shrinking since the 1930s, with an accelerated decrease recently. Its longevity and changes remain under study, potentially informing Earth's weather science. This enhanced image is from Voyager 1 in 1979; Juno will reach Jupiter in 2016.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140518.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/429/133/619/252/376/original/9de650f02c06fb72.jpg

2024-11-05 13:30:03

APOD from 2013-03-19
GRAIL Maps the #Moon's Gravity
NASA's GRAIL mission mapped the Moon's gravity, revealing a shallow 40km crust and composition akin to Earth. This supports the theory that the Moon formed from Earth material post-collision 4.5 billion years ago. Post-mission, the GRAIL satellites were intentionally crashed into the Moon.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130319.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/429/133/268/267/186/original/c4fa8f03e3997620.jpg

2024-11-05 07:29:58

APOD from 2022-10-22
NGC 1499: The California #Nebula
A cosmic cloud in the Orion Arm of the Milky Way, resembling California's outline, is known as the California Nebula (NGC 1499). About 1,500 light-years away and 100 light-years long, it glows red from hydrogen recombination, ionized by star Xi Persei. It's near Perseus and the Pleiades.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap221022.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/429/132/897/188/479/original/0bb7730644e3db6f.jpg

2024-11-04 07:31:16

APOD from 2005-10-04
The Milky Way in Stars and Dust
Captured from Chile, this image shows the Milky Way's disk, a blend of hot nebulae, cold dust, and stars. The long exposure reveals intricate dust filaments that obscure the Galactic Center in visible light. The densest part marks the center, with the Pipe Nebula standing out against countless faint stars. Visible dark dust differs from the Galaxy's unseen dark matter.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap051004.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/423/475/217/745/986/original/3e33e12e9e63a643.jpg

2024-11-03 19:29:35

APOD from 2009-06-24
Noctilucent Clouds Over Germany
Noctilucent clouds, seen above Potsdam, Germany, glow post-sunset due to their high altitude. Their composition is mostly ice-coated particles, with some formed from Space Shuttle water exhaust. Satellites like Odin and AIM study these mysterious clouds.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090624.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/417/806/883/656/696/original/ed4dfaf0a453f4a6.jpg

2024-11-03 13:29:36

APOD from 2017-03-15
The Cone #Nebula from #Hubble
The Cone Nebula, a star-forming pillar 2,500 light-years away in Monoceros, spans 7 light-years. Hubble's detailed image shows its tip over 2.5 light-years wide. The nebula's shape is sculpted by winds from the massive star NGC 2264 IRS, with its glow from hydrogen gas.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170315.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/417/806/613/474/753/original/7b95404fc4e19a17.jpg

2024-11-03 07:29:37

APOD from 2020-12-14
Capsule Returns from #Asteroid Ryugu
A capsule from Hayabusa2 returned to Earth with asteroid samples from Ryugu, landing in Australia. This mission, along with NASA's OSIRIS-REx (targeting Bennu), aims to shed light on the Solar System's origins and how Earth got water and organics.
Video at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap201214.html

2024-11-03 01:29:45

APOD from 2010-10-28
Mirach's Ghost
Mirach's Ghost, a faint galaxy near the bright star Mirach (Beta Andromedae), appears ghostly due to telescopic glare. While Mirach is a red giant 200 light-years away, NGC 404 lies about 10 million light-years distant, just above and right of the star.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101028.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/412/145/312/843/772/original/16d9fdb04c338768.jpg

2024-11-02 19:29:47

APOD from 2009-01-11
In the Shadow of #Saturn
Cassini spacecraft captured a unique view from Saturn's shadow, revealing its night side lit by ring-reflected light and the E ring, formed by Enceladus' ice-fountains. New rings were spotted, and Earth appears as a distant pale blue dot above the bright main rings.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090111.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/412/145/056/337/494/original/206fb245e13874be.jpg

2024-11-02 13:29:44

APOD from 2017-09-12
A Total Solar #Eclipse Close-Up in Real Time
During the recent US total solar eclipse, observers were awestruck by the rapid darkness, glowing beads, pink prominences, and detailed corona. A three-minute video captured in Oregon by Jun Ho Oh's equipment shows these phenomena and the Sun's dramatic reappearance.
Video at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170912.html

2024-11-02 07:29:43

APOD from 2005-03-16
Markarian's Chain of Galaxies
Markarian's Chain, a string of galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, features lenticular galaxies M84 and M86, and spiral M88. Nearby giant elliptical M87 is not part of the chain. The cluster, 70 million light-years away in Virgo, influences the Local Group with its gravity.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050316.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/412/144/623/957/347/original/6a65a35074c208d3.jpg

2024-11-02 01:30:58

APOD from 2005-11-16
A Robot's Shadow on #Asteroid Itokawa
Hayabusa spacecraft's shadow is visible on asteroid Itokawa in an image it captured. The mission, studying the asteroid since September, aims to analyze its composition to understand early Solar System formation. Despite MINERVA robot issues, Hayabusa will collect samples for Earth return in 2007.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap051116.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/406/488/037/255/147/original/b074710c2fda9b3e.jpg

2024-11-01 19:31:09

APOD from 2017-02-17
Polar Ring #Galaxy NGC 660
NGC 660, a polar ring galaxy in Pisces over 40 million light-years away, may have formed its peculiar rings—filled with star-forming regions—from debris captured from another galaxy. These rings provide insights into the galaxy's dark matter halo.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170217.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/406/487/774/508/902/original/322dda9bb8eff8b8.jpg

2024-11-01 13:31:04

APOD from 2017-01-03
Pandora Close-up at #Saturn
Cassini captured the highest resolution image of Saturn's moon Pandora, revealing smooth craters and curious grooves on its surface. This helps understand its role with Prometheus in shepherding Saturn's F ring particles.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170103.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/406/487/561/170/899/original/b021d33e8d04b1d9.jpg

2024-11-01 07:30:59

APOD from 2024-05-20
Aurora Dome Sky
On May 10, 2024, a stunning aurora lit up the night sky, captured in a composite panorama from Arlington, Wisconsin. Originating from CMEs over sunspot AR 3664, the aurora glowed purple to the north as seen in this enhanced image.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240520.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/406/487/279/359/365/original/366f61c1260a9869.jpg
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/406/487/341/367/435/original/d2f1f6d87f490ab2.jpg

2024-11-01 01:30:15

APOD from 2009-12-26
M51 #Hubble Remix
M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, is a classic spiral galaxy over 60,000 light-years wide. This Hubble image shows its structure and companion galaxy NGC 5195. Enhanced processing reveals fine details and dust lanes in the pair located 31 million light-years away in Canes Venatici.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap091226.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/400/823/149/198/622/original/56863f1994c1b769.jpg

2024-10-31 19:30:15

APOD from 2008-09-22
Equinox: The Sun from Solstice to Solstice
Today's equinox marks equal day and night. From now, nights lengthen in the north, days in the south until the next equinox. The image shows a composite of the Sun's path at solstices and equinoxes above Bursa, Turkey, illustrating seasonal solar changes.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080922.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/400/822/891/919/881/original/bd14422fd3df90f2.jpg

2024-10-31 07:30:17

APOD from 2024-02-11
Rocket Plume Shadow Points to the #Moon
During the 2001 Atlantis shuttle launch, a rare alignment of the Sun, Earth, Moon, and rocket created a long shadow pointing to the Moon. This occurred just after sunset with a Full Moon opposite the Sun in the sky.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240211.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/400/822/283/684/092/original/fbbd1183e252c750.jpg

2024-10-31 01:30:27

APOD from 2006-02-07
UB 313: Larger than #Pluto
2003 UB313, larger than Pluto and far from the planetary plane, raises questions about its classification. Its size, determined by infrared emissions and distance from the Sun, prompts debate on whether it'll be deemed a planet. An artist's rendition shows it with a potential moon.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap060207.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/395/161/288/647/996/original/558b0f20803cd72f.jpg

2024-10-30 13:30:24

APOD from 2011-08-08
Seasonal Dark Streaks on #Mars
Dark streaks on Mars, seen in a HiRISE image of Newton crater, suggest seasonal water flow due to their appearance in warmer months and fading in winter. This supports the possibility of subsurface water and potential life, with future spacecraft set to investigate further.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110808.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/395/160/701/545/633/original/377d124775818033.jpg

2024-10-30 07:30:28

APOD from 2021-12-19
Planetary Alignment over Italy
Planets align due to their orbits in the ecliptic plane. A rare alignment of Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter was recently captured at sunset in Italy, with the Moon and Uranus also visible. This planetary lineup, minus the Moon, will continue throughout the month.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap211219.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/395/160/439/038/966/original/02dbe42ef6e3aa03.jpg

2024-10-29 19:32:00

APOD from 2010-10-18
It Came from the Sun
A solar prominence, captured by SOHO, appeared as a giant structure on the Sun's edge. This eruption-in-progress could lead to a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). Though cooler than the Sun's surface, prominences are hot and may become more common as the Sun approaches Solar maximum.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101018.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/389/504/698/265/192/original/ef9deb46c4ec5966.jpg

2024-10-29 07:31:55

APOD from 2021-04-18
Rainbow Airglow over the Azores
A sky glowing like a rainbow can be caused by airglow, often visible during atmospheric disturbances. The colors in the featured image—red from OH molecules and orange/green from sodium and oxygen—are enhanced by a long exposure. Captured in the Azores, the photo also shows the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap210418.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/389/504/128/948/951/original/148886d6f043d6a7.jpg

2024-10-28 13:31:28

APOD from 2013-12-02
#Comet Lovejoy Before #Galaxy M63
Comet Lovejoy, recently discovered and near peak brightness, was seen before dawn passing galaxy M63. Visible to the naked eye from dark northern areas, it sports a green coma and ion tail. While Lovejoy heads back to the outer Solar System, remaining visible in binoculars for weeks, M63 stays constant in our sky.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap131202.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/383/840/508/633/866/original/93a47fd03687dc88.jpg

2024-10-28 01:29:40

APOD from 2005-09-21
Shoreline Terrain on #Saturn's Titan
Cassini's radar images of Titan reveal a terrain resembling a shoreline, with channels possibly carved by liquid methane. The 200 km wide scene suggests these channels and bays may be intermittently filled.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050921.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/378/171/254/258/834/original/1a5489dfc744cf50.jpg

2024-10-20 01:30:32

APOD from 2015-02-10
An Extremely Long Filament on the Sun
The Sun recently displayed a massive filament, over 700,000 km long—longer than its radius. Visible in the featured hydrogen-light image, this gas structure is suspended by the Sun's magnetic field. NASA's SDO is monitoring it, as such filaments are unstable and may soon collapse or erupt. Check SDO for updates.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150210.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/332/875/471/250/865/original/ec49f190ce37ef5e.jpg

2024-10-18 13:30:29

APOD from 2011-12-25
M1: The Crab #Nebula from #Hubble
The Crab Nebula, remnants of a 1054 AD supernova, contains complex filaments with unexpected mass and speed. Captured by Hubble in select colors, it stretches 10 light-years and houses a fast-spinning pulsar at its heart.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap111225.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/327/213/369/115/159/original/e1976f9b5d878d6f.jpg

2024-10-18 07:30:30

APOD from 2011-10-17
MACS 1206: A #Galaxy Cluster Gravitational Lens
A galaxy cluster's gravity, acting as a lens, distorts a distant galaxy into an arc, as seen in a Hubble image. This effect, revealing smooth dark matter distribution, helps estimate the cluster's mass and formation time.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap111017.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/327/213/097/982/205/original/cc346a8e7317b041.jpg

2024-09-09 13:29:42

APOD from 2021-12-31
JWST on the Road to L2
A timelapse gif captures the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) moving across Orion's stars, heading to its halo orbit around L2, a stable point 1.5 million km from Earth. Created from 12 exposures post-launch, it shows JWST's path past the Moon's orbit en route to L2, where it will observe the cosmos. Track JWST's journey and deployment online.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap211231.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/106/380/618/468/976/original/fe3164622e6a4557.mp4

2024-08-28 07:28:31

APOD from 2017-03-23
SH2-155: The Cave #Nebula
Telescopic image of the Cave Nebula (Sh2-155) in Cepheus, 2,400 light-years away, shows a reddish glow from ionized hydrogen. Formed at the edge of the Cepheus B cloud near hot stars, its bright rim suggests ongoing star formation within its 10-light-year span.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170323.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/113/038/427/487/715/290/original/72a4142bdbcfa25f.jpg

2024-08-17 07:26:39

APOD from 2005-03-01
NGC 1531/2: Interacting Galaxies
Captured by the 8-meter Gemini South telescope, this image shows interacting galaxies NGC 1531 and NGC 1532 in Eridanus, 55 million light-years away. Their gravitational interaction triggers star formation in the spiral galaxy's dust lanes, akin to the Whirlpool Galaxy.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050301.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/112/976/134/905/576/626/original/2ebae67b99814a9d.jpg

2024-08-12 13:28:44

APOD from 2021-09-03
NGC 7023: The Iris #Nebula
The Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) in Cepheus, 1,300 light-years away, displays colors and symmetries amid interstellar dust. Its blue hue comes from dust reflecting starlight, with central filaments also glowing red. Spanning six light-years, it contains complex carbon molecules (PAHs).
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap210903.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/112/947/831/993/548/485/original/60bb973a5f712396.png

2024-08-09 13:28:15

APOD from 2023-01-30
Globular Star Cluster NGC 6355 from #Hubble
Once abundant, less than 200 ancient globular clusters remain in the Milky Way, many lost to gravitational encounters. Hubble's image of 13-billion-year-old NGC 6355 reveals its dense, blue-star-lit core. Most other stars are background objects. Conditions no longer favor new cluster formation.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap230130.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/112/930/842/830/015/024/original/5495cb509dda1a39.jpg

2024-06-24 07:29:11

APOD from 2019-04-15
Enhanced: The Dolphin Cloud on #Jupiter
NASA's Juno spacecraft captured a dolphin-shaped cloud on Jupiter during its 16th close pass. Such whimsical shapes, while intriguing, hold no scientific significance as planetary clouds are ever-changing. The image, taken from the South Temperate Belt, was enhanced for color and contrast.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap190415.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/112/670/380/018/662/114/original/0ae703b19e07a728.jpg

2024-04-26 07:28:01

APOD from 2021-08-21
Triple Transit and Mutual Events
Telescopic views from the Philippines show Jupiter's Galilean moons in action on August 15. Io exits stage right into eclipse, while Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto transit across Jupiter. Mid-event, Ganymede occults Europa; a rare sight Earth witnesses every six years near Jupiter's equinox.
HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap210821.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/112/336/299/320/774/210/original/c899ec58ae339706.jpg

2023-11-09 19:25:43

APOD from 2021-07-16
Title: Love and War by Moonlight
Copyright/credit: Shi Huan
See explanation and HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap210716.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/111/379/359/334/783/753/original/980c9a4070f689cb.jpg

2023-10-23 19:26:12

APOD from 2023-04-22
Title: NGC 1333: Stellar Nursery in Perseus
See explanation and HD image at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap230422.html
https://files.mastodon.bot/media_attachments/files/111/283/101/917/577/636/original/4920fde2fb006be5.png