Good morning! Today’s date is November 15, and the image we have for you might resemble a Rorschach test.
This photo captures the Barnard 150 dark nebula, with its thick molecular clouds blocking light from reaching Earth. Situated 1,200 light-years away in the Cepheus constellation, the nebula hides plenty of unseen marvels.
What do you see in this image? Some might see the Seahorse nebula when the image is turned 90 degrees counterclockwise. Astronomers have given the nebula this name for its resemblance to the marine creature.
But the photographer, Tom Carrico, sees something else. “I showed it this way because I have seen way too many sci-fi movies,” Carrico revealed. “The rope-like dark nebula looks like a leash attached to a human. Clearly a warning from extraterrestrials.”
Clearly.
Remarkably, Carrico managed to capture this stunning photo using only a 2-inch diameter RedCat 51 telescope. He spent a total of 6.5 hours taking 78 different exposures of the nebulae. The dark skies of eastern Oregon in July provided a perfect backdrop for his observations.
Source: Tom Carrico.
Have a photo you’d like to share with the Daily Telescope? We’d love to see it—reach out and say hello.
