Hubble- Light Echo

[n2doc]

This photo, captured by the NASA Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys, is Hubble's latest view of an expanding halo of light around the distant star V838 Monocerotis, or V Mon, caused by an unusual stellar outburst that occurred back in January 2002. A burst of light from the bizarre star is spreading into space and reflecting off of surrounding circumstellar dust. As different parts are sequentially illuminated, the appearance of the dust changes. This effect is referred to as a "light echo".

[WillParkinson]

1. That is one of the prettiest things I've ever seen...

On the left hand side it looks like an angelfish. Overall it reminds me of some of the pictures you see of dragons. Thank you very much for sharing it.

[tridim]

3. Nature is my favorite artist. nt

[Twillig]

2. Light echo, sure...

[niyad]

4. k and r--simply stunning

[CrispyQ]

5. Breathtaking!

I love Hubble!

[Greyskye]

6. What an amazing phenomenon!

Thanks for sharing; I learned something today!

[localroger]

7. Iain Banks comes to life

In Banks' Culture stories, about a civilization which has had faster than light travel for thousands of years, much is made of the fact that the light from an event such as a supernova will form a shell like this and its arrival can be anticipated since it is a relatively slow-moving phenomenon compared to the FTL spaceships.

[shraby]

8. Absolutely beautiful.

[trusty elf]

9. Exquisite!

I found a larger image: