Two mysteries from recent APODs; can you help?

[owlice]

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? "

Crop from negative

crop.png (46.05 KiB) Viewed 1761 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:

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Any ideas about/solutions to these mysteries?

[neufer]

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

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:

Imagine living in a place where everyone knows to keep their fingers off the glass...

Apparently the Space Shuttle just isn't that place.

[owlice]

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...

[neufer]

The Cheerio effect as it applies to Donuts

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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

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

Well, a Big Pic-a-Nick Donut then =>

[ozalba]

'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

[snowyknits]

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

[NoelC]

Apparently the [ISS] just isn't that place.

Right on, Neufer.

-Noel

[Sphere Coupler]

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)