APOD 3.2

The North American continent may be renowned for its countries emmissions, but this emmission nebula NGC 7000--named for North America--can make something from all its hot air: stars. The representation of South America and Mexico in this celestial masterpiece placed within Cygnus the Swan is a hot bed not of jungle but of gases and dusts, not to mention what we know as the Cygnus Wall, newly formed stars.

APOD 3.1

A ripple in the great celestial river of Eridanus reveals a swirling galaxy, NGC 1309 on the bank but a good 100 million light-years away. It is about one third the size of the Milky Way--30000 light-years across--and has long spiraling arms of blue star clusters circling the settled, elderly yellow stars in the centre. Also the host of a rather recent supernova and the Cepheid variable stars which calibrate universal expansion, this beauty continues to glorify our skies today!

APOD 2.8

Blasted from a stellar gun are Orion's bullets, 1500 light-years in diameter for the loaded, dense calibre of a true celestial hunter. These hot clouds of gas are ten times the size of the erratic orbit of dwarf planet Pluto, aglow from ionised iron and streaked with yellow, shocked hydrogen gas from the hot nebula, the plumes up to 5 light-years long. This infrarred photograph was taken in Chile, displaying the wicked shots of the infamous Hunter.