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APOD
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
The Creature from the Red Lagoon
Explanation: What creature lurks near the red Lagoon nebula? Mars. This gorgeous color deep-sky photograph has captured the red planet passing below two notable nebulae -- cataloged by the 18th century cosmic registrar Charles Messier as M8 and M20. M20 (upper right of center), the Trifid Nebula , presents a striking contrast in red/blue colors and dark dust lanes. Just below and to the left is the expansive, alluring red glow of M8, the Lagoon Nebula . Both nebulae are a few thousand light-year s distant. By comparison , temporarily situated below them both, is the dominant “local” celestial beacon Mars . Taken late last month posing near its southernmost point in Earth's sky, the red planet was 14 light-minutes away.
Now Available: APOD 2015 Wall Calendars
| Date | November 25, 2014 |
|---|---|
| Credit | Image Credit & Copyright: Derek Demeter ( Emil Buehler Planetarium ) |
| Authors & editors: | Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP) |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |