2019 April 5 Pan-STARRS Across the Sky Image Credit: R. White (STScI) and the PS1 Science Consortium Explanation: This astronomical sky spanning view is a mosaic from the Pan-STARRS observatory. The images were recorded with its 1.8 meter telescope at the summit of Haleakala on planet Earth’s […]
2019 April 4 Messier 2 Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, G. Piotto et al. Explanation: After the Crab Nebula, M1, this giant star cluster is the second entry in 18th century astronomer Charles Messier’s famous list of things with are not comets. M2 is one of the largest globular star clust
2019 April 3 Wisps Surrounding the Horsehead Nebula Image Credit & Copyright: Mario Zauner Explanation: The famous Horsehead Nebula in Orion is not alone. A deep exposure shows that the dark familiar shaped indentation, visible just below center, is part of a vast complex of absorbing dust and
2019 April 2 Space Station Silhouette on the Moon Image Credit & Copyright: Eric Holland Explanation: What’s that unusual spot on the Moon? It’s the International Space Station. Using precise timing, the Earth-orbiting space platform was photographed in front of a partially lit gibb
2019 April 1 Astronaut Kicks Lunar Field Goal Image Credit: NASA, Apollo 15 Team Explanation: Score three points for NASA. With time running out late in Apollo 15’s mission to the Moon in 1971, Astronaut David Scott prepared to split the uprights and bring about yet another dramatic end-of-the
2019 March 31 Markarian’s Chain of Galaxies Image Credit & Copyright: Sergio Kaminsky Explanation: Across the heart of the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies lies a striking string of galaxies known as Markarian’s Chain. The chain, pictured here, is highlighted on the right with two large but
2019 March 30 3D 67P Image Credit: ESA, Rosetta, MPS, OSIRIS – Stereo Anaglyph: Philippe Lamy and The Team Explanation:Put on your red/cyan glasses and float next to the jagged and double-lobed nucleus of Churyumov-Gerasimenko, also known as Comet 67P. The stereo anaglyph was created by combin
2019 March 29 M104: The Sombrero Galaxy Image Data: NASA, ESA, Hubble Legacy Archive; Processing & Copyright: Rogelio Bernal Andreo (DeepSkyColors.com) Explanation: The striking spiral galaxy M104 is famous for its nearly edge-on profile featuring a broad ring of obscuring dust lanes. Seen in si
2019 March 28 The Gaia Stars of M15 Image Credit: Robert Vanderbei (Princeton University), ESA, Gaia, DPAC Explanation: Messier 15 is a 13 billion year old relic of the early formative years of our galaxy, one of about 170 globular star clusters that still roam the halo of the Milky Way. About 200 l
2019 March 27 NGC 1333: Stellar Nursery in Perseus Image Credit & Copyright: Steve Milne, Barry Wilson – Processing: Steve Milne Explanation: NGC 1333 is seen in visible light as a reflection nebula, dominated by bluish hues characteristic of starlight reflected by interstellar dust. A me
