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Trifid nebula (M20), optical image.
This nebula is a region of star birth. The red area is an emission nebula, where radiation from hot, newly formed stars ionises the surrounding gas and causes it to glow. The blue area is a reflection nebula, which does not emit light,...
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Barred spiral galaxy (NGC 2903), optical image.
This galaxy lies around 25 million light years away in the constellation Leo. It has spiral arms and a central bar, like our own galaxy, the Milky Way. The red areas are regions of star formation. The radiation from hot young stars...
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Horsehead nebula, optical image. North is at left.
The Horsehead nebula (centre) is formed by the dark nebula B33 blocking the light from the bright red emission nebula IC 434 behind it. The emission nebula glows as the hydrogen it contains is ionised by the radiation from hot young...
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Zoom through galaxies to the most distant galaxy yet discovered, UDFy-38125539.
The discovery of this galaxy was announced in October 2010. It is thought to be seen at a time when the universe was just 600 million years old, during a period known as the reionisation epoch. At this time, the radiation from the first...
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Rosette nebula (NGC 2237), optical image.
This nebula is an emission nebula, known as the Rosette nebula because of its round, flower-like shape. Emission nebulae are clouds of gas and dust that are ionised by radiation from hot stars within them, causing them to glow. At the...
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Emission nebula (NGC 6559), optical image.
Emission nebulae are clouds of gas and dust that are ionised by radiation from hot stars within them, causing them to glow red. Around the bright stars are regions of reflection nebulosity, where fine dust particles reflect the light of...
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Planetary Nebula Looping HD720
Young star with planetary nebula in early stages of development, with hot plasma and gases outpouring into space.
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Zoom into the variable star R Coronae Australis.
This is a hot young star surrounded by dense nebulosity from which it formed. It is still in the process of contracting and has not yet joined the main sequence, the stable stage of a star's life when it burns hydrogen at its core. As...
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This animation begins with a pinpoint of light as the Big Bang, and continues to show the formation of the first stars and galaxies
This animation begins with a pinpoint of light as the Big Bang, and continues to show the formation of the first stars and galaxies