Occasionally on the blog I like to post an image from APOD which gets my attention in some way.  I used to do this far more regularly, but things have gotten in the way the last couple of years.  I’m going to make an effort to post at least one of these per month.

I’m already late with the January entry, but here it is nonetheless:

Looking at this nebulous form gives you some idea of the power generated by a star as it collapses in on itself and sends matter spewing off in all directions toward parts unknown of our universe.

The width of this monstrous formation is 150 light years, or over 9.8 Million times the distance between our Sun and the earth. Kinda makes you think… When the light you see from this nebula this year began it’s journey toward Earth it was the year 1859 and the following notable activities took place:

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is born
• Ground was broken on the Suez canal
• A Tale of Two Cities is published
• Charles Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species

So give a thought to history the next time you stare out at the cosmos.

Thanks to BrainyHistory.com for the historical factoids.