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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Южный Крест на южном небе http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1228701/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Yuri Beletsky
(ESO)
Explanation:
This breathtaking patch of sky would be above you were you
to stand at the
South Pole of the Earth.
On the upper left of this image are the
four stars that mark the
boundaries of the famous
Southern Cross.
At the top of this constellation, also known as
The Crux,
is the orange star
Gamma Crucis.
The band of stars, dust, and gas
crossing the middle of the photograph is part our
Milky Way Galaxy.
Just below the Southern Cross on the far left is the dark
Coal Sack Nebula, and the bright nebula on the far right is the
Carina Nebula.
The Southern Cross is such a famous constellation that it is
depicted on the national flag of Australia.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.