APOD 2.3

This is an image of NGC 660, in the constellation Pisces, taken from the Gemini North telescope on Mauna Kea. NGC 660 is a polar ring galaxy, a rare type of galaxy in which there are rings of matter orbiting the center nearly perpendicular to the galactic disk. This is caused when a galaxy captures matter from another passing galaxy, and can give clues as to the composition and structure of both galaxies. This is a very interesting and unusual celestial object and studying it could give us a better understanding of the universe

APOD 2.2

This spectacular image shows an aurora over the small town of Svolvear in Norway. The photographers tried several days to take this picture until they finally got it, but the result is spectacular. Our sun is nearing its maximum surface activity in its magnetic cycle and thus is producing spectacular aurorae at this time. 

APOD 2.1

This photograph shows the Veil Nebula, a large supernova remnant in the constellation Cygnus. It covers nearly 3 degrees of the sky and is approximately 1400 light years away from Earth. This appropriately spooky nebula is shown in false color with hydrogen in red and oxygen in blue to lend it a Halloween theme.