Picture This – Page 16 – Astronomy Now

Revisiting a tortured moon where cliffs tower miles above a bizarre surface

5 February 2020 Astronomy Now

Uranus’ small moon Miranda, as revealed by NASA’s Voyager 2 probe in 1986, is one of the strangest bodies in the solar system, with a unique patchwork appearance and cliffs towering 20 kilometres (12 miles) high.

Retiring Spitzer’s IR views of the Tarantula a fitting legacy

28 January 2020 Astronomy Now

The Spitzer Space Telescope, one of NASA’s original “Great Observatories,” is being retired after more than 16 years of infrared observations, but not before providing another look at the spectacular Tarantula Nebula.

Very Large Telescope catches star-forming region “pink handed”

23 January 2020 Astronomy Now

The European Southern Observatory’s Cosmic Gems programme generates a steady stream of spectacular images, including this view of Gum 26, an emission nebula in Vela where new stars are being born.

A fresh look at the Omega Nebula, courtesy of the SOFIA flying observatory

7 January 2020 Astronomy Now

The Omega Nebula, a favourite target for amateur astronomers, is one of the most massive star-forming regions in the Milky Way. The SOFIA airborne observatory provides a fresh look in a composite image.

ESA kicks off Hubble’s 30th year with 2020 highlights calendar

4 January 2020 Astronomy Now

The Hubble Space Telescope marks its 30th trail-blazing year in space this April and ESA is marking the occasion with a downloadable calendar highlighting HST’s “Hidden Gems.”

A face-on barred spiral that hints at Milky Way’s structure

30 December 2019 Astronomy Now

If one could fly to a point directly above the Milky Way, the vista might look something like NGC 986, a face-on barred spiral in the constellation Fornax that is often overlooked due to is proximity to the Fornax galaxy cluster.

Perseus Molecular Cloud comes to life in Spitzer image

24 December 2019 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope captures stunning infrared views of the cosmos, including repeated observations of the vast Perseus Molecular cloud where star clusters defy models with closely packed multi-generational suns.

A captivating view of the Heron Galaxy as a gravitational tug of war plays out

13 December 2019 Astronomy Now

Two interacting galaxies, distorted in an ongoing gravitational tug of war, present a captivating vista as observed by the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, taking on the shape of a graceful heron in the northern sky.

Face-on spiral galaxy showcases multiple supernova blasts

5 December 2019 Astronomy Now

Spiral galaxies oriented face on to Earth offer spectacular views while giving astronomers a better chance to monitor the frequency of supernova blasts. A prime example is a galaxy known as NGC 5468 where at least five stellar explosions have been spotted.

As Orion graces the evening sky, enjoy an infrared view courtesy of the VLT

23 November 2019 Astronomy Now

A favourite target for amateur and professional astronomers alike, the Orion Nebula is once again gracing the autumn-winter skies in the Northern Hemisphere. It is just as glorious in the infrared, as seen by the Very Large Telescope and the HAWK-I camera.