Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

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Expand view Topic review: Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

Re: Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

by Sphere Coupler » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:14 am

It's a smudge from someones nose on the window glass...well if it's not that, then it may be an upper atmosphere sprite far in the distance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_(lightning)

Re: Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

by NoelC » Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:15 am

Apparently the [ISS] just isn't that place.
Right on, Neufer.

-Noel

Re: Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

by snowyknits » Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:54 am

Ring galaxies are not unknown. There have been several in APOD. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081104.html

Re: Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

by ozalba » Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:03 am

'White plume': the last time I responded to a question like this, regarding a mysterious light pattern seen through an aircraft window, the photographer reckoned it was the face of Zeus, emphatically not a reflection of something inside the cabin, lens flare, or anything so mundane as to be explained by simple logic. I think I'll pass on this one :)

'Big Cheerio': it looks like a Cartwheel galaxy type object: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060118.html

Re: Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

by neufer » Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:48 pm

owlice wrote:
neufer, I think whatever is in the second image is outside
-- well outside -- the window, not on it.
I think not (; although it is indeed the ISS and not the Shuttle).
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101115.html
owlice wrote:
As for the other, that would have to be a mighty big Cheerio... :shock:
Well, a Big Pic-a-Nick Donut then =>

Re: Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

by owlice » Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:25 pm

neufer, I think whatever is in the second image is outside -- well outside -- the window, not on it. I have no idea what it could possibly be, though.

As for the other, that would have to be a mighty big Cheerio... :shock:

Re: Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

by neufer » Wed Dec 01, 2010 12:29 pm

owlice wrote:I have no information on these other than what is posted below. My hope is that the community can determine what is shown in these images.

First up, we have ...
Star Streams of NGC 4216

Urban Stiess writes: "In Ken Crawford's high-resolution image of Nov 27, 2010 APOD "Star Streams of NGC 4216," I spotted what appears as a ring nebula just to the west of NGC4206 [enhanced image attached]. As a purely amateur observer I have not been successful in locating further information on this object, the only clue contained within the GHOSTS website - http://www-int.stsci.edu/~djrs/ghosts/n ... 9765a.html - and applying each of the two on-line filters. Not knowing the position of this object relative to 4206 I am unable to ascertain if in fact this is a ring nebula or merely the remnants of the cannibalization of another galaxy in close proximity. Have you access to further information? Has it previously been identified? "
It appears to be a result of the 'Cheerios Effect:' http://asterisk.apod.com/vie ... 31&t=22156
owlice wrote:
Second up, this...
Home from Above
In the November 15 APOD "Home from Above" discussion, I posted a query about something that appears in the upper left window; a few others also wondered what that "white plume," as one poster put it, is. On the left, a crop from the image shown on APOD and on the right, one from the larger image:
Image
Image
NoelC wrote:
Imagine living in a place where everyone knows to keep their fingers off the glass... :D
Apparently the Space Shuttle just isn't that place.

Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

by owlice » Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:13 am

I have no information on these other than what is posted below. My hope is that the community can determine what is shown in these images.

First up, we have ...
Star Streams of NGC 4216
NGC4216_crawford and ring.jpg
Urban Stiess writes: "In Ken Crawford's high-resolution image of Nov 27, 2010 APOD "Star Streams of NGC 4216," I spotted what appears as a ring nebula just to the west of NGC4206 [enhanced image attached]. As a purely amateur observer I have not been successful in locating further information on this object, the only clue contained within the GHOSTS website - http://www-int.stsci.edu/~djrs/ghosts/n ... 9765a.html - and applying each of the two on-line filters. Not knowing the position of this object relative to 4206 I am unable to ascertain if in fact this is a ring nebula or merely the remnants of the cannibalization of another galaxy in close proximity. Have you access to further information? Has it previously been identified? "
Crop from negative
Crop from negative
crop.png (46.05 KiB) Viewed 1786 times
I can add: The ring shows up in the composite negative view, which I've cropped here. Mr. Stiess sent another image with arrows pointing to the ring structure which I'd be happy to attach if anyone requests it.
Second up, this...
Home from Above
In the November 15 APOD "Home from Above" discussion, I posted a query about something that appears in the upper left window; a few others also wondered what that "white plume," as one poster put it, is. On the left, a crop from the image shown on APOD and on the right, one from the larger image:
Image
Image
____________________________________________________________________

Any ideas about/solutions to these mysteries?

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