SPoW_Aug4_2017

  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula Outer Space and Outdoors
    ESA/Hubble & NASA
    01
    This glittering galaxy is officially named NGC 4656, but it also has a less official nickname “The Hockey Stick Galaxy,” due to its hockey-stick-shape at certain angles (though not in this image). This is probably because of nearby gravitational fields of elliptical galaxy NGC 4627 and NGC 4631, dubbed “The Whale Galaxy.”
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula and Outer Space
    ESO
    02
    This side-by-side comparison of planetary nebula NGC 6563 shows off the new powers of the Very Large Telescope’s Adaptive Optics Facility and the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer instrument. Together they can capture celestial objects in sharper detail and contrast, seen in the above image.
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula Outer Space Animal and Fish
    ESO
    03
    This AOF and MUSE photo of planetary nebula IC 4406 (also known as the Retina Nebula) showcases never-before-seen shells and dark dust structures.
  • Image may contain Ornament Pattern and Fractal
    Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO
    04
    A sunspot put on a dramatic 13-day show for NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory with solar flares, a coronal mass ejection, and a solar energetic particle event. This composite photo features the sunspot in action using visible and extreme ultraviolet light.
  • This image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space Planet Art Painting and Globe
    NASA
    05
    This photo shot by JunoCam documents Jupiter’s North North Temperate Little Red Spot 1, an anticyclonic oval churning around the outer regions of the planet’s north pole. It’s called an anticyclonic oval because the winds fly in the opposite direction of the surrounding low-pressure area. NN-LRS-1 is quite old and the third-largest of its kind, each about 3,700 miles long.
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula Outer Space Screen Electronics Monitor and Display
    ESO
    06
    The AOF captured another before-and-after of planetary nebula NGC 6369, the new image (featured right) present in much more detail.
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space and Nebula
    ESO
    07
    AOF and MUSE turned its gaze towards starburst galaxy ESO 338-4 in the middle of a merger with multiple smaller galaxies, causing rapid star formation.
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space Nature and Outdoors
    ESO
    08
    This stunning starry night features galaxy cluster PLCKESZ G286.6-31.3, seen faintly just off the center of this image captured by ESO’s Wide-Field Imager.
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