In recent days, an extraordinary photograph taken by the VST telescope in Chile was released, revealing a picturesque star-forming area in the constellation Centaurus. The photograph depicts an area called the Running Chicken. In this remarkable part of the sky, stars arrange themselves in the shape of an equally extraordinary bird. However, this name is derived from people who have long been searching for similarities between celestial objects and earthly objects. Constellations and star formations, known for millennia, evoke various associations in our imagination.
It is important to note, however, that these objects are extremely difficult to observe as they are often not visible to the naked eye. Large telescopes are needed for this purpose. Deep sky objects, such as nebulae or galaxy clusters, also have their common names that accurately depict what is observable in the photographs. For example, the Running Chicken nebula seems to be just a flat and indistinguishable spot in the image, but upon closer inspection, features resembling a running chicken can be discerned.
Although not everyone may see such similarities, there is nothing wrong with that. Everyone can see something different in what they observe in space. However, what is most fascinating in these photographs is not the names or resemblances, but the beauty and complexity that lie within these star-forming areas. Each photograph is not just a mere spot in the sky, but entire spaces filled with young stars and interstellar matter. These extraordinary images remind us that the universe is colorful, although we are not always able to perceive these colors with our naked eyes.
In the end, we are left with only one question – what other secrets does the cosmos hold for us?
FAQ:
What are constellations?
Constellations are groups of stars that form a certain shape in the sky. People have given them various names and interpretations for ages.
What are asterisms?
Asterisms are groupings of stars that are not official constellations.
How are nebulae formed?
Nebulae are formed when young stars illuminate interstellar matter, creating diverse forms and shapes.
Source:
https://esosz.edu.pl
The source of the article is from the blog mgz.com.tw