Tag Archives: dust

The Egg and I

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Invader Xan

This really quite beautiful looking object is the Egg nebula. Also known as AFGL 2688, it’s a pre-planetary nebula. A few weeks ago I was waxing lyrical about how stars die and seed their material back into the cosmos from … Continue reading →

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As sure as eggs is eggs

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Invader Xan

Astronomers, it seems, like eggs. Drifing somewhere out in the skies, you can find the Egg Nebula, the Rotten Egg Nebula*, and now there’s a new addition to this ovoid contingent — the Fried Egg Nebula. You have to admit, … Continue reading →

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Dust clouds

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Invader Xan

Hmmm… I feel I should really apologise for the lack of any posts that have happened recently. Between observing trips, conferences, deadlines and some much needed rest to spend time with a certain special someone, I guess I’ve been a … Continue reading →

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Easter Egg

Posted on April 12, 2009 by Invader Xan

Happy Easter, from approximately 3000 light years away! This is the Egg Nebula, and with a length of roughly a light year, it’s the largest Easter egg you’ll ever see! The Egg (RAFGL 2688) is probably one of my favourite … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, Imported from Livejournal | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Dust to dust

Posted on August 7, 2008 by Invader Xan

This is a piece of genuine circumstellar dust. A tiny grain (just ten microns long) of silicates, glasses and carbon. Stars are dusty things. They form from gas and dust, and they spew out gas and dust throughout their lives … Continue reading →

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