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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on January 15, 2011, 17:42

Title: Space Pictures This Week: Ring of Fire, Rare Moon, More
Post by: sam on January 15, 2011, 17:42

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The moon nearly blots out the sun on January 4 during an annular eclipse captured here by Japan's Hinode satellite. During an annular eclipse, the moon is slightly farther from Earth than usual and so appears smaller than during a total eclipse—leaving the edges of the sun visible.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/photogalleries/110114-best-space-pictures-sun-solar-eclipse-moon-nebula-science-saturn-127/

Title: Re: Space Pictures This Week: Ring of Fire, Rare Moon, More
Post by: Simon on January 15, 2011, 17:48

Wow!  That's awesome!

Title: Re: Space Pictures This Week: Ring of Fire, Rare Moon, More
Post by: Rik on January 15, 2011, 17:51

Great picture, for us plebs. ;)

Title: Re: Space Pictures This Week: Ring of Fire, Rare Moon, More
Post by: Clive on January 15, 2011, 18:22

My fave is num 4.  That Triangulum galaxy (M33) is a member of the local cluster which includes the Magellanic Clouds, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and a number of smaller galaxies.  M33 is quite easy to find in binoculars and is a surprisingly large object considering how far away it is.  That photo showing all those UV sources is quite incredible.  The galaxy must contain a tremendous number of ultra hot giant stars. 

Title: Re: Space Pictures This Week: Ring of Fire, Rare Moon, More
Post by: Rik on January 15, 2011, 18:28

Er, quite. :)

Title: Re: Space Pictures This Week: Ring of Fire, Rare Moon, More
Post by: Clive on January 15, 2011, 22:59

We are talking about whole galaxies here, just like our Milky Way, each of which contains hundreds of billions of stars.  There is a vast distance between the stars but galaxies, even in clusters, are even farther apart relatively speaking.  To be able to see an object which lies 3 million light years away with just a pair of binoculars tells you how intrinsically bright it must be.  Awesome!   8-)

Title: Re: Space Pictures This Week: Ring of Fire, Rare Moon, More
Post by: sam on January 15, 2011, 23:31

you capture that perfectly there clive:

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Awesome!