Starship Asterisk*

LBN 86: The Eagle Ray Nebula

Explanation: This eagle ray glides across a cosmic sea. Officially cataloged as SH2-63 and LBN 86, the dark nebula is composed of gas and dust that just happens to appear shaped like a common ocean fish. The interstellar dust nebula appears light brown as it blocks and reddens visible light emitted behind it. Dark nebulas glow primarily in infrared light, but also reflect visible light from surrounding stars. The dust in dark nebulas is usually sub-millimeter chunks of carbon, silicon, and oxygen, frequently coated with frozen carbon monoxide and nitrogen. Dark nebulas are also known as molecular clouds because they also contain relatively high amounts of molecular hydrogen and larger molecules. Previously unnamed, the here dubbed Eagle Ray Nebula is normally quite dim but has been imaged clearly over 20-hours through dark skies in Chile.

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It's interesting that these little free-floating clouds of gas and dust can form jellyfish-like structures in space.

Ann

Ann wrote: ↑Mon Nov 27, 2023 5:30 am

EagleRay_Chander_960[1].jpg

LBN 86: The Eagle Ray Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Vikas Chander

Lion's mane jellyfish. Credit: W.carter at Wikipedia.

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It's interesting that these little free-floating clouds of gas and dust can form jellyfish-like structures in space.

Ann

Your perspective is very narrow and Earth-centric, Ann. Look at the BIG picture. It's interesting that these little jellyfish creatures can form structures like free-floating clouds of dust and gas in space! :ssmile: