Lois M.
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ov099.bsky.social
Lois M.
@ov099.bsky.social
260 followers 270 following 740 posts
An astronomy, Star Trek/Star Wars, news/weather nerd; Rutgers 2017 BS Geology grad, research assistant, and foram picker extraordinaire.
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ov099.bsky.social
Lois M. @ov099.bsky.social · Oct 10
"A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic." - Carl Sagan
🌋 📚 🔭 #LGM⚾️ #MayTheForceBeWithYou #LLAP🖖 🌔 🗻🔬
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 NGC 1275 in the Perseus Cluster

Image Credit & Copyright: Michal Wierzbinski, Hellas-Sky

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...
Active galaxy NGC 1275 is the central, dominant member of the large and relatively nearby Perseus Cluster of Galaxies. Wild-looking at visible wavelengths, the active galaxy is also a prodigious source of x-rays and radio emission. NGC 1275 accretes matter as entire galaxies fall into it, ultimately feeding a supermassive black hole at the galaxy's core. Narrowband image data used in this sharp telescopic image highlights the resulting galactic debris and filaments of glowing gas, some up to 20,000 light-years long. The filaments persist in NGC 1275, even though the turmoil of galactic collisions should destroy them. What keeps the filaments together? Observations indicate that the structures, pushed out from the galaxy's center by the black hole's activity, are held together by magnetic fields. Also known as Perseus A, NGC 1275 itself spans over 100,000 light years and lies about 230 million light years away.
February 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Spiral Galaxy NGC 1512: Wide Field

Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Stern

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...
A spiral galaxy is shown that seems to have rings in place of spiral arms. The outer ring is blue and filled with stars, while the inner ring is more red. The center has a vertical bar. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
February 4, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Orion: The Running Man Nebula

Image Credit & Copyright: Robert G. Lyons (Robservatory)

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...
A complex nebula is shown that is mostly blue and red on the left half and mostly brown on the right. Several bright stars are visible, and many filaments run through, in particular on brown dust filamnents on the image right. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Galle: Happy Face Crater on Mars

Image Credit: NASA, MGS, MSSS

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...
Several craters are visible on a tan surface. The largest crater, on the right, has internal markings that make it look like a winking face with a smile. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
February 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Artemis I: Flight Day 13

Image Credit: NASA, Artemis I

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26013...
On flight day 13 (November 28, 2022) of the Artemis 1 mission, the Orion spacecraft reached its maximum distance from Earth. At over 430,000 kilometers from Earth, its distant retrograde orbit also puts Orion nearly 70,000 kilometers from the Moon. In the same field of view in this video frame from flight day 13, planet and large natural satellite even appear about the same apparent size from the spacecraft's perspective. On flight day 26 (December 11, 2022), the uncrewed spacecraft splashed down on its home world concluding the historic Artemis I mission. The Artemis II mission, carrying 4 astronauts around the moon and back again, will launch no earlier than February 8.
January 31, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 NGC 1333: Stellar Nursery in Perseus

Image Credit & Copyright: Robert Eder

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26013...
NGC 1333 is seen in visible light as a reflection nebula, dominated by bluish hues characteristic of starlight reflected by interstellar dust. A mere 1,000 light-years distant toward the heroic constellation Perseus, it lies at the edge of a large, star-forming molecular cloud. This telescopic close-up spans over two full moons on the sky or just over 15 light-years at the estimated distance of NGC 1333. It shows details of the dusty region along with telltale hints of contrasty red emission from Herbig-Haro objects, jets and shocked glowing gas emanating from recently formed stars. In fact, NGC 1333 contains hundreds of stars less than a million years old, most still hidden from optical telescopes by the pervasive stardust. The chaotic environment may be similar to one in which our own Sun formed over 4.5 billion years ago.
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 NGC 2442: Galaxy in Volans

Image Credit & Copyright: Mike Selby

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
Distorted galaxy NGC 2442 can be found in the southern constellation of the flying fish, (Piscis) Volans. Located about 50 million light-years away, the galaxy's two spiral arms extending from a pronounced central bar give it a hook-shaped appearance in this deep and colorful image, with foreground stars scattered across the telescopic field of view. The image also reveals the distant galaxy's obscuring dust lanes, young blue star clusters and reddish star forming regions surrounding a core of yellowish light from an older population of stars. But the star forming regions seem more concentrated along the drawn-out (upper right) spiral arm. The distorted structure is likely the result of an ancient close encounter with a smaller galaxy that lies off top left of the frame. This telescopic field of view spans over 200,000 light-years at the estimated distance of NGC 2442.
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
theswu.bsky.social
Rebellions are built on hope.
January 27, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Orion's Treasures over Snowy Mountains

Image Credit & Copyright: Włodzimierz Bubak; Text: Ogetay Kayali (MTU)

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
A person stands in the distance on a snowy landscape shining a flashlight on the ground. Trees and snow capped mountains are on the horizon. In the starry sky above, several iconic red nebulas are visible. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
January 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 NGC 55: A Galaxy of Nebulas

Image Credit & Copyright: Wolfgang Promper; Text: Ogetay Kayali (MTU)

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
A galaxy is shown that has a lot of blue and red dots in it. The galaxy is an long elliptical blob across the middle and not a classic spiral. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
January 26, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Phobos: Doomed Moon of Mars

Image Credit: NASA, LPL (U. Arizona), MRO, HiRISE

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
A large irregularly shaped object is shown that is mostly brown and shows many craters. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
January 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 LDN 1622: Dark Nebula in Orion

Image Credit & Copyright: Chris Fellows

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
The silhouette of an intriguing dark nebula inhabits this cosmic scene. Lynds' Dark Nebula (LDN) 1622 appears against a faint background of glowing hydrogen gas only visible in long telescopic exposures of the region. In contrast, a brighter reflection nebula, vdB 62, is more easily seen just above the dusty dark nebula. LDN 1622 lies near the plane of our Milky Way Galaxy, close on the sky to Barnard's Loop, a large cloud surrounding the rich complex of emission nebulae found in the Belt and Sword of Orion. With swept-back outlines, the obscuring dust of LDN 1622 is thought to lie at a similar distance, perhaps 1,500 light-years away. At that distance, this 3 degree wide field of view would span about 100 light-years. Young stars do lie hidden within the dark expanse and have been revealed in Spitzer Space telescope infrared images. Still, the foreboding visual appearance of LDN 1622 inspires its popular name, the Boogeyman Nebula.
January 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
bobafettfanclub.com
"Five Mandalorians Walk Into A Tavern" by Jake Bartok

See more Medieval #StarWars fan art from the artist: https://www.jakebartok.net/medieval-fantasy-star-wars

#BobaFett #SabineWren #BoKatanKryze #DinDjarin #TheArmorer #DailyFett
January 21, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Reposted by Lois M.
esa.int
📸 This new NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope image reveals the intricacies of the Helix Nebula in stunning detail! 🧬

🔗 esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2026/01/Webb_reveals_Helix_Nebula_in_glistening_detail

@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
A closeup of a small section of the Helix Nebula, an expanding shell of gas and dust. Thousands of orange and gold comet-like pillars stream upward from the bottom, like thin liquid blown up a sheet of glass. These pillars are around the circumference of the arced shell, which forms a partial orange semi-circle at the bottom. The pillars are more numerous and denser at the bottom, and darker red. They fade to orange and then yellow in the arc. In the top two-thirds, they are thinner and more golden, and it’s easier to see the black background of space. Several bright blue stars, some with diffraction spikes, are scattered throughout. A few larger stars are on the right side.
January 20, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Lois M.
stsci.edu
#NASAWebb’s new view of the famous Helix Nebula zooms into a section of the shells of gas cast off by a dying star, revealing pillars that look like comets with extended tails: https://news.stsci.edu/4qPKTsL
A closeup of a small section of the Helix Nebula, an expanding shell of gas and dust. Thousands of orange and gold comet-like pillars stream upward from the bottom, like thin liquid blown up a sheet of glass. These pillars are around the circumference of the arced shell, which forms a partial orange semi-circle at the bottom. The pillars are more numerous and denser at the bottom, and darker red. They fade to orange and then yellow in the arc. In the top two-thirds, they are thinner and more golden, and it’s easier to see the black background of space. Several bright blue stars, some with diffraction spikes, are scattered throughout. A few larger stars are on the right side.
January 20, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Io in True Color

Image Credit: NASA, JPL, Galileo Project

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
A big ball that is mostly yellow is shown. The ball has many circular and irregular regions that are different colors, typically brown or olive green. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
January 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Jupiter from the Webb Space Telescope

Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team; Processing: Ricardo Hueso (UPV/EHU) & Judy Schmidt

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26011...
The featured image shows Jupiter in infrared light as captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Visible in unusually dark colors are Jupiter's clouds including the Great Red Spot, a ring, several moons, and bright aurora. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
January 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 NGC 7023: The Iris Nebula

Image Credit & Copyright: Justus Falk

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26011...
These cosmic clouds have blossomed 1,300 light-years away in the fertile starfields of the constellation Cepheus. Called the Iris Nebula, NGC 7023 is not the only nebula to evoke the imagery of flowers. Still, this deep telescopic image shows off the Iris Nebula's range of colors and symmetries embedded in surrounding fields of interstellar dust. Within the Iris itself, dusty nebular material surrounds a hot, young star. The dominant color of the brighter reflection nebula is blue, characteristic of dust grains reflecting starlight. Central filaments of the reflection nebula glow with a faint reddish photoluminescence as some dust grains effectively convert the star's invisible ultraviolet radiation to visible red light. Infrared observations indicate that this nebula contains complex carbon molecules known as PAHs. The dusty blue petals of the Iris Nebula span about six light-years.
January 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Plato and the Lunar Alps

Image Credit & Copyright: Luigi Morrone

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26011...
The dark-floored, 95 kilometer wide crater Plato and sunlit peaks of the lunar Alps (Montes Alpes) are highlighted in this this sharp telescopic snapshot of the Moon's surface. While the Alps of planet Earth were uplifted over millions of years as continental plates slowly collided, the lunar Alps were likely formed by a sudden collision that created the giant impact basin known as the Mare Imbrium or Sea of Rains. The mare's generally smooth, lava-flooded floor is seen below the bordering mountain range. The prominent straight feature cutting through the mountains is the lunar Alpine Valley (Vallis Alpes). Joining the Mare Imbrium and northern Mare Frigoris (Sea of Cold) the valley extends toward the upper right, about 160 kilometers long and up to 10 kilometers wide. Of course, the large, bright lunar alpine mountain below and right of Plato crater is named Mont Blanc. Lacking an atmosphere, not to mention snow, the lunar Alps are probably not an ideal location for a winter vacation. Still, a 150 pound skier would weigh a mere 25 pounds on the Moon.
January 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
stsci.edu
At the center, two galaxies known as NGC 3921 are in the late stages of merging. Their collision started about 700 million years ago. Their clash, captured by Hubble, caused a rush of star formation.

Credit: ESA, NASA; Judy Schmidt.
At the center of the frame are two interacting galaxies against the black background of space. They look like a faded lowercase q. The brightest region is at the bottom of the loop of the q, forming a large orb with a bright white center. The rest of the shape is in much lighter blues. Throughout the background, there are a few stars with four bright diffraction spikes at the edges, a larger spiral galaxy seen edge-on at top left, and many more teeny stars and galaxies throughout.
January 14, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 M51: The Whirlpool Galaxy

Image Credit & Copyright: Michael Sleeman

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26011...
A big spiral galaxy fills the frame, complete with blue spiral arms dotted with red dust and nebulas. Above the spiral galaxy is another more diffuse galaxy that has faint wisps extending in many directions. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
January 14, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Meteor Dust

Image Credit & Copyright: Xu Chen

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26011...
A view of mountains over clouds shows a starfield with a purple glow. Prominent on the right is the trail of a bright meteor. To the left of the meteor and connecting to the meteor is something unusual: a light brown triangular puff. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
January 12, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 Jupiter with the Great Red Spot

Image Credit & Copyright: Christopher Go

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26011...
Jupiter reaches its 2026 opposition today, January 10. That puts our Solar System's most massive planet opposite the Sun and near its closest and brightest for viewing from planet Earth. In fact, captured only 3 days ago this sharp telescopic snapshot reveals excellent details of the ruling gas giant's swirling cloudtops, in light zones and dark belts girdling the rapidly rotating outer planet. Jupiter's famous, persistent anticyclonic vortex, known as the Great Red Spot, is south of the equator at the lower right. But two smaller red spots are also visible, one near the top in the northernmost zone, and one close to Jupiter's south pole. And while Jupiter's Great Red Spot is known to be shrinking, it's still about the size of the Earth itself.
January 10, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
apod.shinyakato.dev
🔭 IC 342: Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis

Image Credit & Copyright: Gaetan Maxant

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26010...
Similar in size to large, bright spiral galaxies in our neighborhood, IC 342 is a mere 10 million light-years distant toward the long-necked, northern constellation Camelopardalis. A sprawling island universe, IC 342 would otherwise be a prominent galaxy in our night sky, but it is hidden from clear view and only glimpsed through the veil of stars, gas and dust clouds along the plane of our own Milky Way galaxy. Even though IC 342's light is dimmed and reddened by intervening cosmic clouds, this sharp telescopic image traces the galaxy's own obscuring dust, young star clusters, and glowing star forming regions along spiral arms that wind far from the galaxy's core. IC 342 has undergone a recent burst of star formation activity and is close enough to have influenced the evolution of the local group of galaxies and the Milky Way.
January 8, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Lois M.
historyofgeology.bsky.social
January 7 is Old-Rock-Day 🪨⏱︎
Considered for almost 50 years the oldest rock on Earth, the Acasta Gneiss - a tonalite gneiss found in the Slave craton in the NWT of Canada - indeed includes some of the oldest known rocks of continental crust on Earth, dated at 4.03 billion years
...
January 7, 2026 at 5:27 PM