Mono Lake - Strange Microbes
Mono Lake has become even more well known now that scientists have discovered that the GFAJ-1 Microbe can not only tolerate arsenic rich areas, but actually use it as a replacement for phosphorus. Up until now scientists thought that only organic molecules based off phosphorus could support life. This just goes to show that we have much more to learn about not only our own planet, but the cosmos as well. Who knows, extraterrestrial life could be closer than previously thought.
Site: Picture from APOD
This image contains the Double Cluster from the constellation Perseus. Its a star forming region that is nearly 7,000 ly away from Earth. This object is actually viewable with the necked eye or binoculars. In addition, its also circumpolar so it can be viewed every night all year.
Site: Picture from APOD
Andromeda Galaxy
This is M31, commonly known as the Andromeda Galaxy. This image spans over 200,000 ly, while the galaxy itself is an unfathomable two and a half million ly away from Earth. Scientists have discovered that this galaxy is hurling towards our own Milky Way and should collide with it within two billion years. This type of occurrence is actually common in the universe, but I chose this image mostly because Andromeda was one of this week's constellations and it will impact our world sooner or later.
Site: Picture from APOD
Galaxies in Pegasus
In this large field of view are the scattered galaxies beyond the Norther part of the constellation Pegasus. The largest galaxy in the upper right is cataloged as NGC 733, which is 50 million ly away. In the lower left corner is the well-known Stephen's Quintet, a group of galaxies, about 300 million ly distant, that are all colliding together.
I chose this picture because along with Pegasus, this week we had the constellation of Andromeda and within the next few billion years we will be colliding with a large galaxy just like those in the lower left.
Site: Picture from APOD
The view of the night sky easily shows the three bright starts of the Summer Triangle (Vega, Deneb, and Altair), but it also shows many constellations. Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila are viewable because they contain the stars of the Summer Triangle, but Equuleus, Delphinus, Sagitta, and Vulpecula are all also visible.
I chose the picture because almost every night I see the Summer Triangle and I can subsequently find Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila. I really enjoy being able to discern which constellation is which and hopefully soon ill get a telescope that ill be able to view them all through.
Mom...if you read this, you know what to get me for Christmas.
