Buzz
Recently, space has been in the spotlight, from NASA's moon bombing to exciting discoveries on Mars. I'm deeply fascinated by outer space, and the images we receive from our space probes continue to amaze, improving with each passing day. This inspired me to compile a second collection of awe-inspiring space visuals. For those interested, here's the original list. As always, click on the images for a larger view.
10. Saturn as Seen from Cassini
This mesmerizing image of Saturn was taken by the remarkable Cassini spacecraft in 2006, as it sailed behind the majestic gas giant during the 9th year of its mission. What’s even more astonishing is that the faint blue dot of Earth is visible just above and to the left of Saturn’s vibrant main rings. [Source]
9. Crab Pulsar
The Crab Pulsar, a massive neutron star with the size of a city and a magnetic field spinning at 30 times per second, is the heart of this stunning image captured by the Chandra Observatory. This deep x-ray view provides the first detailed look at the intricate edges of the Crab's pulsar wind nebula. Acting as a cosmic generator, the pulsar drives the x-ray emissions. With a mass greater than the Sun and a density comparable to an atomic nucleus, the pulsar itself is the collapsed remnant of a giant star. Its core collapse led to a supernova explosion seen in 1054. [Source]
8. Partial Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse is visible through the clouds in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. [Source]
7. Eta Carinae
Eta Carinae is a star system located in the Carina constellation, approximately 7,500 to 8,000 light-years away from the Sun. The system includes at least two stars, one of which is a highly luminous blue variable star. The system’s combined brightness is roughly four million times greater than the Sun's, with an estimated mass exceeding 100 times that of the Sun.
6. Mercury Flyby
Captured just 56 minutes before MESSENGER’s closest approach during the Mercury flyby on October 6, 2008, this striking NAC image makes you feel as though you could almost reach out and touch it. [Source]
5. Square Nebula
Evidence suggests that IC 4406 is likely a hollow cylinder, and its square shape is due to our viewing angle from the side. If we were able to look at IC 4406 from above, it would probably resemble the Ring Nebula. This color-composite image was created by combining pictures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2001 and 2002. [Source]
4. Ionized Helium
On September 29, 2008, NASA’s STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft captured this mesmerizing image of a prominence eruption in extreme UV light at the 304 wavelength. The eruption rose and gracefully cascaded to the right over several hours, resembling a flag unfurling, before it fragmented and drifted into space. [Source]
3. Flowing Martian Sand Dunes
Though liquids freeze and quickly evaporate into the thin Martian atmosphere, persistent winds can create the illusion of flowing sand dunes, almost like a liquid. In the image above, two flat-topped mesas in southern Mars are visible as the planet transitions from Spring to Summer. [Source]
2. International Space Station
After undocking, the crew of the space shuttle Discovery had the unforgettable opportunity to view the developing International Space Station (ISS). High above Earth, the station’s solar panels, trusses, and science modules were clearly visible in orbit. [Source]
1. Jewel Box in the Sky
NGC 290 is an open star cluster located in the Small Magellanic Cloud, within the Tucana constellation. This striking cluster, shown above, was recently photographed by the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. Open star clusters are generally younger, have fewer stars, and possess a significantly higher proportion of blue stars compared to globular clusters.
+ Saturn’s New Ring
This is a bonus feature, as it is an artist's impression; however, it is the only available image so far. On October 6, 2009, the discovery of a faint ring of material, known as the Phoebe ring, was announced. It lies just inside the orbit of Saturn's moon Phoebe and is tilted 27 degrees from Saturn's equatorial plane, making it nearly invisible to the naked eye.
