Astronomers release stunning view of Orion Nebula - See this Picture!

European astronomers showed off their newest telescope Wednesday, releasing stunning views of young stars in a stellar nursery.

The European Southern Observatory consortium's Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) in Paranal, Chile released the view of young stars in the Orion Nebula to demonstrate the compatibilities of the new telescope's 13.5-foot-wide mirror.

Most telescopes can't penetrate the nebula's dust, but, "observing in the infrared allows VISTA to reveal many other young stars in this central region that cannot be seen in visible light," says an ESO statement.

Located in the belt of the constellation Orion, the Orion nebula is about 1350 light years away (one light year is about 5.9 trillion miles).

USA Today Article

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/632492826692.jpg[/atsimg]

I just love this stuff. It is a stunning view. Just wanted to share. We are so miniscule.

[edit on 10-2-2010 by timewalker]

I have a 10 inch dobsonian with a nice mirror... I've seen that many times first hand.

If anything this should inspire everyone to buy a nice telescope!

Always a pleasure to see.

Thanks for taking making it possible.

I have a 10 inch dobsonian with a nice mirror...

Can you give me a prize label, I was also thinking of bying one ?

reply to post by DaMod


Does it look like this? I wish I had one badly. I have a lot of light pollution in my area. I wonder how good it would work?

reply to post by DaMod


My dad is actually picking me up one tonight, I can't even express how excited i am. I can't wait to look at the night sky for myself!

reply to post by timewalker



Yea it makes one feel like a tiny grain of sand somewhere on our planet.

Pictures like these make me feel humble and happy at the same time.

It's so amazing I wish I could fly between them stars & planets

TY for posting!

Its just stunning, the colours are so amazing its like what I imagine the soul to look like, deeply entranced magic. Thankyou so much for sharing this with us.

Is this possible to get as a wallpaper ?

reply to post by franspeakfree

Sure. You can right click on image, save as, then open on your computer right click and set as desktop wallpaper.



That is for PC. If you have a Mac, I cant help you. sorry



[edit on 10-2-2010 by timewalker]

reply to post by timewalker


That's where those wacky lizards are from - god bless 'em!



Pity they can't share the universe with everyone else eh?

reply to post by watchZEITGEISTnow
Yeah those waskiwy weptiwians. They have a beautiful home.





[edit on 10-2-2010 by timewalker]

gotta say im not too impressed, pretty typical run of the mill space photo. lots of bright colors and dots, looks liek the rest of space to me.