20. A Gravitationally Lensed Quasar
The gravity of a galaxy cluster called SDSS J1004+4112 warps and magnifies the light from a distant quasar. Light from the quasar, the bright core of a galaxy fed by a black hole, appears in the center of this image and four other locations around it. Other distant galaxies appear as arcs.
The gravity of a galaxy cluster called SDSS J1004+4112 warps and magnifies the light from a distant quasar. Light from the quasar, the bright core of a galaxy fed by a black hole, appears in the center of this image and four other locations around it. Other distant galaxies appear as arcs.
21. Spiral Galaxy NGC 3370
Intricate spiral arms contain hot areas of new star formation in this dusty galaxy. This galaxy was home to a supernova that appeared in 1994
Intricate spiral arms contain hot areas of new star formation in this dusty galaxy. This galaxy was home to a supernova that appeared in 1994
22. Whirlpool Galaxy M51 and Companion Galaxy
The large Whirlpool Galaxy (left) is known for its sharply defined spiral arms. Their prominence could be the result of the Whirlpool's gravitational tug-of-war with its smaller companion galaxy (right)
The large Whirlpool Galaxy (left) is known for its sharply defined spiral arms. Their prominence could be the result of the Whirlpool's gravitational tug-of-war with its smaller companion galaxy (right)
23. Star-birthing Region in the Orion Nebula
Clouds of dust and gas in the Orion Nebula churn out stars in this tiny section of the huge Orion Nebula. The gas is illuminated and heated by ultraviolet light from four hot, massive stars
Clouds of dust and gas in the Orion Nebula churn out stars in this tiny section of the huge Orion Nebula. The gas is illuminated and heated by ultraviolet light from four hot, massive stars
24. Eskimo Nebula
This stellar relic is nicknamed the Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392) because, when viewed through ground-based telescopes, it resembles a face surrounded by a fur parka. In this Hubble telescope image, the 'parka' is really a disk of material embellished with a ring of comet-shaped objects, with their tails streaming away
from the central, dying star. Although the Eskimo’s 'face' resembles a ball of twine, it is, in reality, a bubble of material being blown into space by the central star’s intense 'wind' of high-speed material. A planetary nebula forms when dying sun-like stars eject their outer gaseous layers, which then become bright nebulae with amazing and confounding shapes. The Eskimo Nebula is about 5,000 light-years (30,000 trillion miles) from Earth in the constellation Gemini and began forming about 10,000 years ago.
This stellar relic is nicknamed the Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392) because, when viewed through ground-based telescopes, it resembles a face surrounded by a fur parka. In this Hubble telescope image, the 'parka' is really a disk of material embellished with a ring of comet-shaped objects, with their tails streaming away
from the central, dying star. Although the Eskimo’s 'face' resembles a ball of twine, it is, in reality, a bubble of material being blown into space by the central star’s intense 'wind' of high-speed material. A planetary nebula forms when dying sun-like stars eject their outer gaseous layers, which then become bright nebulae with amazing and confounding shapes. The Eskimo Nebula is about 5,000 light-years (30,000 trillion miles) from Earth in the constellation Gemini and began forming about 10,000 years ago.
25. Helix Nebula
The Helix Nebula is a cloud of gas expelled and illuminated by the dying star at its center. From our vantage point on Earth it looks like a donut, but its actual structure is layered and complex
The Helix Nebula is a cloud of gas expelled and illuminated by the dying star at its center. From our vantage point on Earth it looks like a donut, but its actual structure is layered and complex
26. Sombrero Galaxy M104
A brilliant white core is encircled by thick dust lanes in this spiral galaxy, seen edge-on. The galaxy is 50,000 light-years (300,000 trillion miles) across and 28 million light years (28,000,000 trillion miles) from Earth.
A brilliant white core is encircled by thick dust lanes in this spiral galaxy, seen edge-on. The galaxy is 50,000 light-years (300,000 trillion miles) across and 28 million light years (28,000,000 trillion miles) from Earth.