APOD 3.4

This fantastic image is not of our own galaxy, but it is extremely similar in form and brilliance, being a grand design spiral galaxy with over 100 billion stars and numerous well-defined spiral arms. NGC 4321 contains clusters of stars that were key in studying to better determine the approximate size and age of the universe. The progression inward from the dark outer arms of the galaxy into the bright core is pleasing to the eye and simultaneously inspires awe in the observer. The dust clouds permeating the entire galaxy provide brilliant contrast with the bright stars seen elsewhere in it.

APOD 3.3

This image is a time lapse of four rocket launches, and is extremely drawn out to give the viewer a full view of the sky in a circular field of vision. These rockets were launched on January 26 at the Poker Flat Research Range. The skies above are incredibly clear and also filled with elegantly green auroras. The rockets carried devices designed to leave vapor trails for observers to record data about the atmosphere regarding the movement of the vapor trails. The green trails are also laser tracers that were captured in the time-lapse.

APOD 3.2

The vibrant combination of colors is not true color, as the image was captured in infrared. False coloration was used to achieve the brilliant image of Orion in the infrared spectrum. Much of the light in this image originates from the Trapezium star center, which can be seen in the center of the image. The orange dust clouds reflect the light from these stars in their various cloudlike forms.

apod 3.1

At first glance, this nebula seems to be a soap bubble caught in the field of view of a telescope's image. The Soap Bubble Nebula, in fact, was only recently discovered. Dave Jurasevich discovered it while examining his images of the Cygnus region of the night sky on July 6th 2008. After submitting it to the International Astronomical Union, it is now known as the Soap Bubble Nebula. The nebula is believed to be a planetary nebula, most likely a star in its final phase of life. The Soap Bubble Nebula is certainly unique and majestic in its spherical, transparent nature and is truly a wondrous sight to behold among the stars.

biography

Peter Florian

Mr. Percival - period 5

Astronomy

3/24/15

George E. Hale Bio.

When George Ellery Hale was 14 years old, he begged his father, a wealthy Chicago businessman, to buy him a telescope so he could watch the rare event of Venus passing between Earth and the Sun. Hale’s parents, pleased with their son’s interest in science, bought him the telescope, and, over the next 16 years, other professional-quality astronomical instruments. After he entered college, they built him his own laboratory, a brick building on their property. Hale’s parents doted on him. He was often sick, and they had lost two other children to illness as infants. However, their support for his interest in astronomy turned out to be entirely justified. Hale was still in college, studying solar astronomy, when he invented the spectroheliograph, a device to photograph and analyze the Sun. The spectroheliograph would launch the design of telescopes dedicated to solar astronomy. Hale went on to leave his fingerprints on the great American telescopes of his time. He would make plans to build a large telescope and obtain the financial backing. Then he would gather the people and materials to carry out the plan, and have the telescope built — all while working on ideas for the next, even bigger telescope. Hale was constantly trying to look deeper into the sky. He suffered from frequent depression and headaches, but nothing could keep him from his work on solar astronomy and stellar evolution, or his passion for building big telescopes. Hale not only contributed to astronomy by building four of the world’s largest telescopes, he also founded an astronomical society, started the Astrophysical Journal, and was the first person to be officially called an astrophysicist. His final project was the 200-inch telescope on Palomar Mountain. During the last few days of his life, Hale is said to have looked up at the sky and rejoiced, “It is a beautiful day. The sun is shining, and they are working on Palomar.” Hale would not live to see that telescope finished, but today the 200-inch Hale Telescope on Palomar Mountain is named for him.

Planetary Nebulae

1. Ghost of Jupiter: NGC 3242
Distance: 6.5 (kly)
Apparent Mag: 8.6
Constellation: Hydra

2.Ring Nebula: M57, NGC 6720
Distance:2.3 (kly)
Apparent Mag: 9
Constellation: Lyra

3. Helix Nebula: NGC 7293
Distance: .68 (kly)
Apparent Mag: 13.5
Constellation: Aquarius

4. Dumbbell Nebula: M27, NGC 6853
Distance: 1.36
Apparent Mag: 7.5
Constellation: Vulpecula

5. Eskimo Nebula:
Distance: 2.9
Apparent Mag: 10.1
Constellation: Gemini

6. Owl Nebula: M97, NGC 3587
Distance: 2.6
Apparent Mag: 9.9
Constellation: Ursa Major

7. Soap Bubble Nebula: PN G75.5 1.7
Distance: 4
Constellation: Cygnus

8. Saturn Nebula: NGC 7009
Distance: 3
Apparent Mag: 12.8
Constellation: Aquarius

9. Cat's Eye Nebula: NGC 6543
Distance: 3.3
Apparent Mag: 9.8
Constellation: Draco

10. Twin Jet Nebula: M2-9
Distance: 2.1
Apparent Mag: 14.7
Constellation: Ophiuchus

los links

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1653.html
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/stellar_nurseries.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211141242.htm
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2409.html#.VNzVV-a-2m4
http://www.space.com/21142-orion-constellation-s-blazing-dust-band-holds-stellar-nurseries-video.html