Starship Asterisk*

Reflections on the 1970s

Explanation: The 1970s are sometimes ignored by astronomers, like this beautiful grouping of reflection nebulae in Orion - NGC 1977, NGC 1975, and NGC 1973 - usually overlooked in favor of the substantial glow from the nearby stellar nursery better known as the Orion Nebula. Found along Orion's sword just north of the bright Orion Nebula complex, these reflection nebulae are also associated with Orion's giant molecular cloud about 1,500 light-years away, but are dominated by the characteristic blue color of interstellar dust reflecting light from hot young stars. In this sharp color image a portion of the Orion Nebula appears along the bottom border with the cluster of reflection nebulae at picture center. NGC 1977 stretches across the field just below center, separated from NGC 1973 (above right) and NGC 1975 (above left) by dark regions laced with faint red emission from hydrogen atoms. Taken together, the dark regions suggest to many the shape of a running man.

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I like the caption here. I like the picture too.

Tell me, what is the Running Man wearing on his head? Could it be something like this, except the long end of his hat is being lifted up by the air pressure inside the nebula as he is running?

Ann

Awesome picture of it....

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Ann wrote:I like the caption here. I like the picture too.

Tell me, what is the Running Man wearing on his head? Could it be something like this, except the long end of his hat is being lifted up by the air pressure inside the nebula as he is running?

Ann

I thought it was more of a Feather....but yours works...


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More like BATMAN!!!

Funny, all I can see is a pterodactyl....

Maybe that's where the dinosaurs went?

I don't see the Running Man. But on the lower part, I do see a Running T-Rex headed from left to right...

I am uncertain as to which parts of the image constitute the 'Running Man'. I am assuming that the dark area that has a darker rectangular part at it right is NGC 1977. The "NGC 1977 stretches across the field just below center, separated from NGC 1973 (above right) and NGC 1975 (above left) by dark regions laced with faint red emission" in the explanation is however confusing me, as I only see the red emission and not any obvious dark regions in the separation. I would be grateful if someone could please point out which areas form the 'Running Man'.

DavidLeodis wrote:I am uncertain as to which parts of the image constitute the 'Running Man'. I am assuming that the dark area that has a darker rectangular part at it right is NGC 1977. The "NGC 1977 stretches across the field just below center, separated from NGC 1973 (above right) and NGC 1975 (above left) by dark regions laced with faint red emission" in the explanation is however confusing me, as I only see the red emission and not any obvious dark regions in the separation. I would be grateful if someone could please point out which areas form the 'Running Man'.

The Running Man is purplish-red in color and surrounded by blue nebulosity.

There is a group of three bright stars at center left. The star farthest to the right shows us the location of the Running Man's left knee. The star farthest to the left shows us the location of the Running Man's right foot. One arm of the Running Man is so fat that this feature might in fact be a cape instead. The other arm is also fat, but not quite so much. The Running Man may have a feather on his head.

Can you see him now?

Ann

Ann wrote:

DavidLeodis wrote:I am uncertain as to which parts of the image constitute the 'Running Man'. I am assuming that the dark area that has a darker rectangular part at it right is NGC 1977. The "NGC 1977 stretches across the field just below center, separated from NGC 1973 (above right) and NGC 1975 (above left) by dark regions laced with faint red emission" in the explanation is however confusing me, as I only see the red emission and not any obvious dark regions in the separation. I would be grateful if someone could please point out which areas form the 'Running Man'.

The Running Man is purplish-red in color and surrounded by blue nebulosity.

There is a group of three bright stars at center left. The star farthest to the right shows us the location of the Running Man's left knee. The star farthest to the left shows us the location of the Running Man's right foot. One arm of the Running Man is so fat that this feature might in fact be a cape instead. The other arm is also fat, but not quite so much. The Running Man may have a feather on his head.

Can you see him now?

Ann

Thanks Ann for your help, which is appreciated . So the dark area with the rectangular feature what I thought from the explanation was part of the Running Man is not part of it. The shape of what I now think is the Running Man looks to me a little like an animal low down and running fast . I just do not see a Running Man!

Awesome picture

Ann wrote:I like the caption here. I like the picture too.

Tell me, what is the Running Man wearing on his head? Could it be something like this, except the long end of his hat is being lifted up by the air pressure inside the nebula as he is running?

Ann

Why does it have to be a running man?