The Helix Nebula aka 'The eye of the God'

This image is called "The eye of God"



This image was possible by composition from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the view from National Science Foundation's Mosaic Camera mounted on a 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Ariz. NGC 7293, the Helix Nebula, is one of the closest nebulae of all and is about 450 light years away (exact distance is uncertain). This image is of paramount importance as it holds the clues in future for our very own Sun - happens to a star towards its dying stages. At the center of the image one can spot a white dot a "super-hot white dwarf" star swimming in the sea of hot blue gases.

References: Iridescent Glory of Nearby Planetary Nebula Showcased on Astronomy Day
The Helix Nebula

Send your message to Hubble on its 20th anniversary!

Hubble has been instrumental in expanding our vision beyond the earth's horizon! For last 20 years, it has continually provided us with those staggering images of the outer space, and has tremendously helped us in acquiring profound knowledge of the Universe. Lets thank Hubble for our invaluable aid in astrophysics, and art!

Here's the link where you can post your message to Hubble. I already did :) Now its time for to post yours!

Leave your message and become a part of Hubble history:
http://hubblesite.org/hubble_20/message/

ScienceShot: A Mysterious Galactic Halo - ScienceNOW

Galaxies like Milky way or Andromeda are known to be surrounded by halos, primarily consisting of stars from many smaller galaxies. However, something quite different about the "halo" of M81 galaxy is keeping scientists busy. Unusual aspect of this halo is that it appears to be a cloud consisting of much heavier elements than Hydrogen (H) and Helium (He).

The image is taken by Subaru Telescope (8.2 m) located in Hawaii and is deliberately focused on the cloudy-halo and NOT on M81 galaxy (belonging to Ursa Major cluster).



Very interesting read: ScienceShot: A Mysterious Galactic Halo - ScienceNOW

Active After Sleeping for 200 years!

Dormant Iceland Volcano Erupts after 200 Years. Last time it was active as in 1784.

The visuals of this event are very amazing - geography is unique in itself -snow-clad Iceland, with hot sea of molten lava, thick white clouds of steam, along with gray clouds of ash!

Posted At My WP Blog:
http://wp.me/pHeZ3-17

2010's Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption in south Iceland

The Iceland's volcanic eruption in March of 2010 in pretty intriguing. Red hot lava spewed out of the earth's crust evaporating the glacier cover and the resultant effect is beyond impressive. A thick white cloud cover formed by steam, with red hot molten lava ejected upwards, gray cloud of ash under changing light effects from sun rise to sunset - words cannot describe what this video has captured! Enjoy!

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A_3O8zLiEs&feature=popt1cus06