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Hubble Spies Shells of Spark
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| Title |
Hubble Spies Shells of Sparkling Stars Around Quasar |
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Hubble Spies Shells of Spark
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| Title |
Hubble Spies Shells of Sparkling Stars Around Quasar |
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Hubble Spies Shells of Spark
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| Title |
Hubble Spies Shells of Sparkling Stars Around Quasar |
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Hubble Spies Shells of Spark
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| Title |
Hubble Spies Shells of Sparkling Stars Around Quasar |
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An Intermediate Polar Binary
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| Title |
An Intermediate Polar Binary System |
| Explanation |
How can two stars create such a strange and intricate structure? Most stars are members of multiple-star systems [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_system ]. Some stars are members of close binary systems [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap991219.html ] where material from one star swirls around the other in an accretion disk [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020927.html ]. Only a handful of stars, however, are members of an intermediate polar [ http://www-phys.llnl.gov/Research/CataclysmicVariables/mauche_ips.html ], a system featuring a white dwarf star [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000910.html ] with a magnetic field [ http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wmfield.html ] that significantly pushes out the inner accretion disk [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010508.html ], only allowing material to fall down its magnetic poles. Shown above [ http://www.space-art.co.uk/html/starstwo/fstarstwo.html ] is an artist's depiction of an intermediate [ http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/mukai/iphome/images/gallery.html ] polar [ http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/mukai/iphome/iphome.html ] system, also known as a DQ Hercules [ http://www.britastro.org/vss/00191a.html ] system. The foreground white dwarf [ http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/dwarfs.html ] is so close to the normal star that it strips away its outer atmosphere. As the white dwarf spins, the columns of infalling gas rotate with it. The name intermediate polar [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_polar ] derives from observations of emitted light polarized [ http://www.polarization.com/ ] at a level intermediate to non-disk binary systems known as polars [ http://www-phys.llnl.gov/Research/CataclysmicVariables/mauche_polars.html ]. Intermediate polars [ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1994PASP..106..209P ] are a type of cataclysmic variable [ http://www-phys.llnl.gov/Research/CataclysmicVariables/ ] star system. |
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An Intermediate Polar Binary
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| Title |
An Intermediate Polar Binary System |
| Explanation |
How can two stars create such a strange and intricate structure? Most stars are members of multiple-star systems [ http://www.synapses.co.uk/astro/multistr.html ]. Some stars are members of close binary systems [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap991219.html ] where material from one star swirls around the other in an accretion disk [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020927.html ]. Only a handful of stars, however, are members of an intermediate polar [ http://www-phys.llnl.gov/Research/CataclysmicVariables/mauche_ips.html ], a system featuring a white dwarf star [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000910.html ] with a magnetic field [ http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wmfield.html ] that significantly pushes out the inner accretion disk [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010508.html ], only allowing material to fall down its magnetic poles. Shown above [ http://www.space-art.co.uk/html/starscapes2/fstarscapes_two2.html?ip ] is an artist's depiction of an intermediate [ http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/mukai/iphome/images/gallery.html ] polar [ http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/mukai/iphome/iphome.html ] system, also known as a DQ Hercules [ http://www.britastro.org/vss/00191a.html ] system. The foreground white dwarf [ http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/dwarfs.html ] is so close to the normal star that it strips away its outer atmosphere. As the white dwarf spins, the columns of infalling gas rotate with it. The name intermediate polar [ http://www.space-art.co.uk/markgarlick/articles/f_articles2.htm?astronomy_cvs ] derives from observations of emitted light polarized [ http://www.polarization.com/ ] at a level intermediate to non-disk binary systems known as polars [ http://www-phys.llnl.gov/Research/CataclysmicVariables/mauche_polars.html ]. Intermediate polars [ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1994PASP..106..209P ] are a type of cataclysmic variable [ http://www-phys.llnl.gov/Research/CataclysmicVariables/ ] star system. |
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Analemma over Ancient Nemea
| Title |
Analemma over Ancient Nemea |
| Explanation |
An analemma [ http://www.analemma.com/ ] is that figure-8 curve that you get when you mark the position [ http://www.twigsdigs.com/sundials/office/ ] of the Sun at the same time each day throughout planet Earth's [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030626.html ] year. Above, 44 separate exposures [ http://www.perseus.gr/ Astro-Solar-Analemma-140000.htm ] (plus one foreground exposure) were recorded on a single piece of film to illustrate the regular solar motion -- a Herculean task performed during the calendar year 2003. Appropriately, in the foreground are the ruins at Ancient Nemea where [ http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Hercules/ lion.html ] the hero of Greek Mythology pursued the first of his twelve labours. Solstices [ http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/ index.shtml ], like the one that occurred [ http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/ EarthSeasons.html ] at 0057 UT on June 21, correspond to the top and bottom of the figure-8 or the northern and southernmost excursions of the Sun in the sky. The tilt of planet Earth's axis and the variation in speed as it moves around its orbit combine to produce the graceful analemma curve [ http://www.analemma.com/Pages/framesPage.html ]. |
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The Hercules Cluster of Gala
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| Title |
The Hercules Cluster of Galaxies |
| Explanation |
These are galaxies of the Hercules Cluster [ http://www.mistisoftware.com/astronomy/Galaxies_HerculesCluster.htm ], an archipelago of "island universes" [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020518.html ] a mere 650 million light-years distant. This cluster is loaded with gas and dust rich, star forming, spiral galaxies [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap970726.html ] but has relatively few elliptical galaxies [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap961106.html ], which lack gas and dust and the associated newborn stars [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap031026.html ]. Colors in the composite image show the star forming galaxies with a blue tint and ellipticals with a slightly yellowish cast. In this cosmic vista many galaxies seem to be colliding [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040612.html ] or merging [ http://www.astr.ua.edu/pairs2.html ] while others seem distorted - clear evidence that cluster galaxies [ http://www.seds.org/messier/gal_clus.html ] commonly interact. Over time, the galaxy interactions are likely to affect the the content of the cluster [ http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/features/topics/clusters_group/clusters_intro.html ] itself. Researchers believe that the Hercules [ http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/constellations/ Hercules.html ] Cluster [ http://crux.astr.ua.edu/white/mug/cluster/clusters.html ] is significantly similar to young galaxy clusters [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap980821.html ] in the distant, early Universe and that exploring galaxy types and their interactions in nearby Hercules will help unravel the threads of galaxy [ http://www.stsci.edu/science/starburst/ ] andcluster evolution [ http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/features/topics/clusters_group/evolution.html ]. |
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Spherical Planetary Nebula A
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| Title |
Spherical Planetary Nebula Abell 39 |
| Explanation |
Ghostly in appearance, Abell 39 [ http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/html/im0636.html ] is a remarkably simple, spherical nebula about five light-years across. Well within our own Milky Way [ http://anzwers.org/free/universe/galaxy.html ] galaxy, the cosmic sphere [ http://math.rice.edu/~pcmi/sphere/ ] is roughly 7,000 light-years distant toward the constellation Hercules. Abell 39 is a planetary nebula [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030614.html ], formed as a once sun-like star's outer atmosphere was expelled over a period of thousands of years. Still visible, the nebula's central star is evolving into a hot white dwarf. Although faint, the nebula's simple geometry has proven to be a boon [ http://www.noao.edu/outreach/press/pr01/pr0102.html ] to astronomers [ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/ nph-bib_query?bibcode=2000AAS...197.0616J ] exploring the chemical abundances and life cycles [ http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lifecycles/ stars.html ] of stars. In this deep image [ http://www.mistisoftware.com/astronomy/ Nebulae_pk47p42v1.htm ] recorded under dark night skies, very distant background [ http://www.noao.edu/outreach/aop/observers/ bggalaxies.html ] galaxies can be found -- some visible right through the nebula itself. |
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Hebes Chasma
PIA06847
Sol (our sun)
Thermal Emission Imaging Sys
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| Title |
Hebes Chasma |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
Released September 1, 2004The THEMIS Image of the Day will be exploring the nomenclature of Mars [ http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA06821 ] for the next three weeks. "Hebes Chasma" * "Chasma: "deep, elongated, steep-sided depression * "Hebes:" Goddess of youth, daughter of Zeus and Hera, cupbearer to the gods on Mount Olympus. After tripping and spilling the nectar, she was replaced by Ganymede. Hebes married Hercules after he was made a god. Hebes Chasma is part of a smaller chasma system located north of the main Valles Marineris chasma system. In this VIS image both walls of the canyon are visible. Note the layering near the top of the canyon walls, and the erosion of material. Nomenclature Fact of the Day: Major bright features on Titan will be named for sacred or enchanted places from legends, myths, stories, and poems from cultures around the world. Major dark features will be named for legendary or mythical primordial seas or enchanted waters. Other features will be named for deities of happiness, peace, and harmony. Image information: VIS instrument. Latitude -1.6, Longitude 283.7 East (76.3 West). 19 meter/pixel resolution. Note: this THEMIS visual image has not been radiometrically nor geometrically calibrated for this preliminary release. An empirical correction has been performed to remove instrumental effects. A linear shift has been applied in the cross-track and down-track direction to approximate spacecraft and planetary motion. Fully calibrated and geometrically projected images will be released through the Planetary Data System in accordance with Project policies at a later time. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) was developed by Arizona State University, Tempe, in collaboration with Raytheon Santa Barbara Remote Sensing. The THEMIS investigation is led by Dr. Philip Christensen at Arizona State University. Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, is the prime contractor for the Odyssey project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. |
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Hebes Chasma
PIA06847
Sol (our sun)
Thermal Emission Imaging Sys
…
| Title |
Hebes Chasma |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
Released September 1, 2004The THEMIS Image of the Day will be exploring the nomenclature of Mars [ http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA06821 ] for the next three weeks. "Hebes Chasma" * "Chasma: "deep, elongated, steep-sided depression * "Hebes:" Goddess of youth, daughter of Zeus and Hera, cupbearer to the gods on Mount Olympus. After tripping and spilling the nectar, she was replaced by Ganymede. Hebes married Hercules after he was made a god. Hebes Chasma is part of a smaller chasma system located north of the main Valles Marineris chasma system. In this VIS image both walls of the canyon are visible. Note the layering near the top of the canyon walls, and the erosion of material. Nomenclature Fact of the Day: Major bright features on Titan will be named for sacred or enchanted places from legends, myths, stories, and poems from cultures around the world. Major dark features will be named for legendary or mythical primordial seas or enchanted waters. Other features will be named for deities of happiness, peace, and harmony. Image information: VIS instrument. Latitude -1.6, Longitude 283.7 East (76.3 West). 19 meter/pixel resolution. Note: this THEMIS visual image has not been radiometrically nor geometrically calibrated for this preliminary release. An empirical correction has been performed to remove instrumental effects. A linear shift has been applied in the cross-track and down-track direction to approximate spacecraft and planetary motion. Fully calibrated and geometrically projected images will be released through the Planetary Data System in accordance with Project policies at a later time. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) was developed by Arizona State University, Tempe, in collaboration with Raytheon Santa Barbara Remote Sensing. The THEMIS investigation is led by Dr. Philip Christensen at Arizona State University. Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, is the prime contractor for the Odyssey project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. |
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STS-56 crewmembers on aft fl
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| Title |
STS-56 crewmembers on aft flight deck of Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103 |
| Description |
STS-56 crewmembers pose on aft flight deck of Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, for this in-cabin electronic still camera (ESC) photograph. Clockwise from the bottom right corner are Commander Kenneth Cameron, Mission Specialist 3 (MS3) Ellen Ochoa, MS2 Kenneth D. Cockrell, and Pilot Stephen S. Oswald. The crewmembers are positioned in front of the onorbit station. The image was recorder with the Hand-held, Earth-oriented, Real-time, Cooperative, User-friendly, Location-targeting and Environmental System (HERCULES). HERCULES is a device that makes it simple for Shuttle crewmembers to take pictures of Earth as they merely point and shoot any interesting feature, whose latitude and longitude are automatically determined in real time. In-cabin shots are for test purposes only. |
| Date Taken |
1993-04-17 |
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STS-56 MS1 Foale and MS2 Coc
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| Title |
STS-56 MS1 Foale and MS2 Cockrell on aft flight deck of Discovery, OV-103 |
| Description |
STS-56 Mission Specialist 1 (MS1) Michael Foale (left) and MS2 Kenneth D. Cockrell pose on aft flight deck of Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, for this in-cabin electronic still camera (ESC) photograph. The two crewmembers are positioned in front of the onorbit station with a beam of sunlight shining through overhead window W8. The cable on the bottom right is part of the Hand-held, Earth-oriented, Real-time, Cooperative, User-friendly, Location-targeting and Environmental System (HERCULES), connecting the HERCULES Attitude Processor (HAP) to the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). In-cabin shots with the camera are for test purposes only. HERCULES is a device that makes it simple for Shuttle crewmembers to take pictures of Earth as they merely point and shoot any interesting feature, whose latitude and longitude are automatically determined in real time. Digital file name is ESC01008.TGA. |
| Date Taken |
1993-04-17 |
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STS-56 MS2 Cockrell with HER
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| Title |
STS-56 MS2 Cockrell with HERCULES camera at overhead window W8 on OV-103's FD |
| Description |
STS-56 Mission Specialist 2 (MS2) Kenneth D. Cockrell records Earth imagery with the Hand-held, Earth-oriented, Real-time, Cooperative, User-friendly, Location-targeting and Environmental System (HERCULES) 35mm camera. Cockrell is positioned under aft flight deck overhead window W8 with his back to the onorbit station controls and aft flight deck viewing window W10. HERCULES is a device that makes it simple for Shuttle crewmembers to take pictures of Earth, as they merely point a modified 35mm camera and shoot any interesting feature, whose latitude and longitude are automatically determined in real-time. The powder-box shaped attachment is the HERCULES inertial measurement unit (HIMU) with the Electronic Still Camera Electronic Box (ESCEB) underneath it. The STS-56 crew downlinked a number of the still images during the flight, while others are likely to be stored on disc and returned to Earth with the crew. |
| Date Taken |
1993-04-17 |
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