1.6 A Galactic Star Forming Region in Infrared

In IRDC G11.11-0.11, heat given off by forming stars creates the vast glowing fields of dust and gas. Many of the red spots are dust shrouds that surround young newly formed stars. Th red sphere is the remnant of a supernova and spans 150 light years. This areas is 10,000 of light years away from Earth towards the constellation Sagittarius.

1.5 Coronet in the Southern Crown

Coronet in the Southern Crown

X-rays from young stars and infrared light from stars and other objects to combine to create a false color effect in the Corona Australis constellation. These objects are 420 light-years away and provide a relatively close view of stars and evolving protostars.

1.4 NGC 7129 and NGC 7142

In the constellation Cepheus, NGC 7129 and NGC 7142 are visible. They are reflection nebulae and appear to be separated by about half a degree. NGC 7129 is about 3,000 light years away whereas NGC 7142 is approximately 6,000 light years away. NGC 7129 is toward the left of the image and the red crescents within it are 'energetic jets' from newborn starts. NGC 7142 is to the right and the foreground dust clouds redden the light emitted from the stars, making it difficult to study in many cases.

1.3 Observation Log

Date: September 6, 2007
Time: 8:40 - 9:40
Place: 270 15' 29.35" N, 820 23' 44.36" W; My Home
Sky Conditions: Mostly clear. Mostly high clouds staying in relatively the same location.

No instruments used

Planets: None

Bright Stars noted: Vega (near the center), Antares (in the southern part of the sky, relatively close to the horizon)

Constellations noted: Draco, Cassiopeia, Scorpio, Lyra

Binary Stars: None noted

Deep Sky Objects: None noted

Other: One Meteor visible at about 9:04, visible for about 2 seconds
One Satellite visible at about 9:20, visible for about 5-6 seconds

Note: The guide I used tonight was incorrect and, thus, limited my ability to identify objects. I'll be able to observe more next time.

1.2 Colorful Clouds of Rho Ophiuchi

The Rho Ophiuchi is surrounded by blue light, which occurs mainly due to reflected light. The yellow and red regions are due to the emission from the nebula's atomic and molecular gas. The dark regions are caused by dust grains, which block light emitted behind them. The M4 cluster is visible in the bottom right of the picture and emits the most colorful light, from nearly every wavelength, so not all of it can be seen with the naked eye.