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TrulyReconciled (original poster member #3031) posted at 5:16 PM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
NGC 6960: The Witch's Broom Nebula
Explanation: Ten thousand years ago, before the dawn of recorded human history, a new light would have suddenly have appeared in the night sky and faded after a few weeks. Today we know this light was from a supernova, or exploding star, and record the expanding debris cloud as the Veil Nebula, a supernova remnant. This sharp telescopic view is centered on a western segment of the Veil Nebula cataloged as NGC 6960 but less formally known as the Witch's Broom Nebula. Blasted out in the cataclysmic explosion, the interstellar shock wave plows through space sweeping up and exciting interstellar material.
Imaged with narrow band filters, the glowing filaments are like long ripples in a sheet seen almost edge on, remarkably well separated into atomic hydrogen (red) and oxygen (blue-green) gas. The complete supernova remnant lies about 1400 light-years away towards the constellation Cygnus.
This Witch's Broom actually spans about 35 light-years. The bright star in the frame is 52 Cygni, visible with the unaided eye from a dark location but unrelated to the ancient supernova remnant.
"In a time of deceit, telling the Truth is a revolutionary act."
Lyonesse ( member #32943) posted at 5:18 PM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
I love when you post these photos. This one is really cool.
gahurts ( member #33699) posted at 5:22 PM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indominable will" - Mahatma Gandi
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." - Aubrie
StillGoing ( member #28571) posted at 5:23 PM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
SisterMilkshake ( member #30024) posted at 5:30 PM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
BW (me) & FWH both over half a century; married several decades; children
d-day 3/10; LTA (7 years?)
"Oh, why do my actions have consequences?" ~ Homer Simpson
"She knew my one weakness: That I'm weak." ~ Homer Simpson
PippaPeach6 ( member #37523) posted at 5:31 PM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
Us: 50ish, madhatters, married 20 odd yrs
TT: May 2009 'til June
DDay for both: June 17, 2009
Me: 2x, same person, 1991
Him: 1.5 year PA (EA?) 2007-2009
Reconciled
Honey Badger don't care. - Randall
Tred ( member #34086) posted at 5:32 PM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
Married: 27 years (14 @JFO) D-Day: 11/09/11"Ohhhhh...shut up Tred!" - NOT the official SI motto (DS)
itainteasy ( member #31094) posted at 7:24 PM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
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