APOD: The Milky Ring (2021 Jan 22)

[APOD Robot]

The Milky Ring

Explanation: An expanse of cosmic dust, stars and nebulae along the plane of our Milky Way galaxy form a beautiful ring in this projected all-sky view. The creative panorama covers the entire galaxy visible from planet Earth, an ambitious 360 degree mosaic that took two years to complete. Northern hemisphere sites in western China and southern hemisphere sites in New Zealand were used to collect the image data. Like a glowing jewel set in the milky ring, the bulge of the galactic center, is at the very top. Bright planet Jupiter is the beacon just above the central bulge and left of red giant star Antares. Along the plane and almost 180 degrees from the galactic center, at the bottom of the ring is the area around Orion, denizen of the northern hemisphere's evening winter skies. In this projection the ring of the Milky Way encompasses two notable galaxies in southern skies, the large and small Magellanic clouds.

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[Guest]

Why is it the author(s) of this image is (are) not credited in the caption please?

[Guest]

To clarify: Just wondering why the image credit note is separated from the caption text? NBD

[Ann]

Beautiful and fascinating image!

Milky Way ring. Photo: Alvin Wu.

Milky Way from Scorpius to Cygnus in LRGB and H-alpha. As you can see, there is a lot of ionized hydrogen in the Cygnus region, but no unobscured H-alpha at all in Scutum och much of Aquila. Photo: Alistair Symon. Read more about the image at http://www.woodlandsobservatory.com/MilkyWayMosaic/MilkyWay2019.htm.

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Alvin Wu's image is fascinating indeed, and many familiar objects can be seen in the ring of the Milky Way. At top is Scorpius, with the orange reflection nebula surrounding red giant Antares. At about 2.30 we have the Lambda Centaurus Nebula ("The Running Chicken") and the larger Carina Nebula. At 3.30 we have all the nebulosities of Vela. Near bottom is Orion, and at 9 o'clock is Cygnus with the North America Nebula and Gamma Cygni Nebula.

What strikes me, however, is how few the visible nebulas of the Milky Way really are, and how much of the visible Milky Way that is nebula-free. Our galaxy is anything but a starburst galaxy. Note in Alistair Symon's image how a long stretch of the Milky Way, particularly in Aquila and Scutum, lacks visible emission nebulas altogether.

The Milky Way is believed to be a green valley galaxy, where star formation is (perhaps rapidly) winding down.

Ann

[XgeoX]

.

The Milky Way is believed to be a green valley galaxy, where star formation is (perhaps rapidly) winding down.

Ann

I imagine that once we start merging with Andromeda star formation will rapidly pick up again!

Eric

[XgeoX]

This APOD reminds me of an Einstein ring...



Which makes me happy...



Eric

[zeecatman]

Awesome picture. As a north hemisphere denizen, love to see M31 and the MC's together in the same image. For anyone curious, looks like the Large Magellanic Cloud is at about 3 o'clock (its tiny friend right behind), and M31 is at around 8 o'clock near the galaxy's band. On opposite sides of us... for now

[VictorBorun]

Click to view full size image

Is there an arm or a spur of the Milky Way galaxy shining at 2 o'clock and 9 o'clock as it stretches through the Solar system and curves enough around the core of the galaxy to make 2 o'clock and 9 o'clock directions not quite in line with the Solar system ?

Update. Fat chance to make any arms or spurs in the upper half of the pic.
Still, the Orion Spur must make bright stellar population in two opposite directions.
The 10 o'clock one we can't see, but the the 4 o'clock seems probable to me.

[Tszabeau]

I’d like to take a virtual jump through that hoop.

[orin stepanek]

Beautiful; two years in the making! Thank you Alvin Wu!
Ann does a nice job describing images in all these APODS !
You know; 'cept for the color; the picture looks like a ring of
fire! Where is Johnny Cash?

[neufer]

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The Milky Ring

Explanation: An expanse of cosmic dust, stars and nebulae along the plane of our Milky Way galaxy form a beautiful ring in this projected all-sky view. The creative panorama covers the entire galaxy visible from planet Earth, an ambitious 360 degree mosaic that took two years to complete. Northern hemisphere sites in western China and southern hemisphere sites in New Zealand were used to collect the image data. Like a glowing jewel set in the milky ring, the bulge of the galactic center, is at the very top. Bright planet Jupiter is the beacon just above the central bulge and left of red giant star Antares. Along the plane and almost 180 degrees from the galactic center, at the bottom of the ring is the area around Orion, denizen of the northern hemisphere's evening winter skies. In this projection the ring of the Milky Way encompasses two notable galaxies in southern skies, the large and small Magellanic clouds.

[Zuben L. Genubi]

What is the translation of the notation written in Chinese characters?

[orin stepanek]

What is the translation of the notation written in Chinese characters?

I really don't know; but I presume it's Alvin Wu's signature!

[neufer]

What is the translation of the notation written in Chinese characters?

I really don't know; but I presume it's Alvin Wu's signature!

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<<The One Ring seemed to be made simply of gold, but it was completely impervious to damage, even to dragon fire (unlike other rings). It could be destroyed only by throwing it into the pit of the volcanic Mount Doom where it had been forged. Like some lesser rings, but unlike the other Rings of Power, it bore no gem. It could change size, and perhaps its weight, and could suddenly expand to escape from its wearer. Its identity could be determined by placing it in a fire, when it displayed a fiery inscription in the Black Speech that Sauron had devised. This was written in the Elvish Tengwar script, with two lines from the rhyme of lore describing the Rings:

• One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
  One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

When Isildur cut the Ring from Sauron's hand, it was burning hot, its inscription legible; he transcribed it before it faded. Gandalf learned of the Ring's inscription from Isildur's account, and heated Frodo's ring to display the inscription, proving that this was the One Ring. Gandalf recited the inscription (About this soundPronunciation) in Black Speech at the Council of Elrond, causing everyone to tremble:

• The change in the wizard's voice was astounding. Suddenly it became menacing, powerful, harsh as stone. A shadow seemed to pass over the high sun, and the porch for a moment grew dark. All trembled, and the Elves stopped their ears.>>

[orin stepanek]

I’d like to take a virtual jump through that hoop.

That would be interesting! I've heard of people doing virtual things; but this would be 'stellar'!