Update on the Latest Discoveries in Space

The Crab Nebula - a supernova explosion 6,000 light years away.
Photo Credit: Cassini telescope/ NASA

When I want to find out what's happening in space I usually turn to Space.com or NASA's official site for information. Images are often available in galleries that can be downloaded for your personal use. I am offering a few images here taken from the Space website. I'll offer descriptions below each image.

The Dumbbell Nebula - about 1200 light years away./Photo Credit: NASA

What is a Nebula?

Let's explore that question.

According to Wikipedia, a nebula is an interstellar cloud of dust. This dust is comprised of the gas hydrogen and plasma. Nebulae often are the source of star forming regions, such as the "Eagle Nebula", also called the "Pillars of Creation".

What impresses me most is the imagery of these dust clouds and stardust and planetary fragments or bodies occupying space. It is a wonder of creation in my mind. Look at these images of nebulae. Incredible, aren't they? I mean, they are like nothing you would see on earth. Yet, some of them resemble mountain formations found here on earth. I'm addressing the magical side of space, not the scientific.

The Eagle Nebula reminds me of three peaks jutting from a high mountain top. These formations also resemble three beings standing as guards out there in the great spanse of eternity. In three sizes, they remind me of a Father, a Mother, and a Child. Look for yourself!

I apologize for the lack of technical information here, but I thought you would appreciate the spiritual and mysterious side of the universe. I promise that we'll delve into some space detail in some upcoming posts. Enjoy the newest images from the Cassini telescope and watch for news on comets, asteroids, magnetic storms and planetary alignments.

Eagle Nebula /Photo credit: NASA

The Bulge - NGC 3627 , also known as Messier 66, is about 35 million light years away. Also known as the constellation Leo (the Lion). Photo and information credit: NASA

I found another informative website for your future browsing. Check out http://www.spacetoday.org.

The constellation Leo is one of my favorites. What do you know about the constellations?

Seeking Sacred and Mysterious Sites in our Travels

It was my intention to blog about many things on here, but as life goes I got caught in the stream of it. Now I am attempting to catch my breath, if even for a moment and get back to sharing the topics and stories that I intended to share here. If you have any suggestions, I sure would like to hear them.

Recently, Photo Gent and I passed through New Mexico, Arizona and now we're heading into Utah. For us, New Mexico is the "Land of Enchantment" but due to storms we did not have the opportunity to visit some of the sites as we had hoped. So we're re-scheduling a journey later in the year back to the Four Corners and Tres Piedras and the Taos area. Eagles Nest is a beautiful place to visit because the mountains are beautiful.

Wind storms and a blizzard turned our course away from the Four Corners where we hoped to camp for three to four days in hopes of fasting and praying. Cephas (that's the Photo Gent) and I wanted to walk among some ancient ruins while there and take some photos. We are really feeling that we need some time in the wilderness or mountains to reflect on the purpose and events and people in our lives.

This is a crucial turning point in our lives.

The Midnight Writer