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M27: Not a Comet

While hunting for comets in the skies above 18th century France, astronomer Charles Messier diligently kept a list of the things he encountered that were definitely not comets.

Millions of Stars in Omega Centauri

Globular star cluster Omega Centauri, also known as NGC 5139, is some 15,000 light-years away.

The Ghost of Jupiter's Halo

Close-up images of NGC 3242 show the cast off shroud of a dying, sun-like star fancifully known as The Ghost of Jupiter nebula.

Stephan's Quintet from Hubble

When did these big galaxies first begin to dance?

Astronomy Picture of the Day: Messier 2

After the Crab Nebula, M1, this giant star cluster is the second entry in 18th century astronomer Charles Messier's famous list of things that are not comets.

winter halo


Astronomy Picture of the Day: Extraordinary Solar Halos

Welcome to the December Solstice, the first day of winter in planet Earth's northern hemisphere and summer in the south.

Astronomy Picture of the Day: Light Pillars over Whitefish Bay

What's happening in the sky? Unusual lights appeared last week to hover above Whitefish Bay on the eastern edge of Lake Superior between the USA and Canada.

Astronomy Picture of the Day: Halo of the Cat's Eye

Not a Falcon 9 rocket launch after sunset, the Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) is one of the best known planetary nebulae in the sky.

Astronomy Picture of the Day: M15: Dense Globular Star Cluster

Messier 15 is an immense swarm of over 100,000 stars.

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