Author Archives: Chompsky

Behold: the Butterfly Nebula – one of the hottest heavy metal outfits in the galaxy. To wit:

Though its wingspan covers over 3 light-years and its estimated surface temperature exceeds 200,000 degrees, C, the dying central star of NGC 6302, the featured planetary nebula, has become exceptionally hot, shining brightly in visible and ultraviolet light but hidden from direct view by a dense torus of dust. This sharp close-up was recorded by the Hubble Space Telescope and is reprocessed here to show off the remarkable details of the complex planetary nebula, highlighting in particular light emitted by iron, shown in red. NGC 6302 lies about 4,000 light-years away in the arachnologically correct constellation of the Scorpion (Scorpius). Planetary nebulas evolve from outer atmospheres of stars like our Sun, but usually fade in about 20,000 years.

(Image: NASA, ESA, Hubble; Judy Schmidt)

Another view?

apod

Behold: the 1998 Mercedes Benz U1550L Unimog – the ultimate militaristic, all terrain truck for lovers of militaristic, all terrain trucks.

This vehicle, finished in olive green and matt black with raised suspension and rugged off-road tyres has a mere 3,235km on the clock and can be yours for about €131,000 (plus shipping)

hiconsumption

Tiny, biologically accurate sculptures of birds and animals by Hungarian biologist and miniaturist Fanni Sandor.

Each can take up to two weeks to create, forgoing moulds for embossing and pin-ended  tools (the robin’s nest alone took three days.)

But you don’t care about that. Because you only hear the sound of her name.

colossal