• About WordPress
    • WordPress.org
    • Documentation
    • Support
    • Feedback
  • Log In
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • START HERE
  • CONNECT
    • FREE FUN Sign Up
  • ENGAGE
    • User Guide
    • Log In
    • Register
  • SHOP
  • FREEBIES

On2 In2

Find Your Fun - LIVE IT™

  • CHALLENGE
    • Air
      • Watch: High Flying
    • Athletics
    • Ball & Racket
      • Watch: Ball Games
    • Exploration
      • Watch: Climbing
      • Watch: Cross-Country Cycling
    • Martial Arts
    • Mind Games
    • Ride
      • Watch: Great Rides
    • Snow & Ice
      • Watch: Adventure Skiing
      • Watch: Downhill Runs
    • Target
    • Team
    • Water
      • Watch: Underwater Discoveries
      • Watch: Cranking Surf
  • CREATE
    • Visual Arts
      • Watch: Art Works
      • Watch: Photography
      • Watch: Thoughts on Filmmaking
      • Watch: Digital Arts
    • Performing Arts
      • Amateur Night LIVE
      • Watch: The Dance
      • Watch: Theatre Arts
      • Watch: Music Making
    • Creative Writing
    • Collections
      • Watch: Collector Confessions
  • CULTIVATE
    • Gardening
    • Cookery
    • Husbandry
    • Watch: Agrarian Pursuits
  • EXPERIENCE
    • Travel
      • Watch: Destinations
    • Adventure
      • Watch: Tours de Force
    • Nature
      • Watch: Natural Beauty
    • Gastronomy
  • ENLIGHTEN
    • Insight
      • Watch: Introspection
      • Watch: Creative Perspectives
    • Cosmos
      • Watch: Cosmos Channel
    • History
    • Science
      • Watch: Night Skies
      • Watch: Natural Sciences
  • MEDIA MIX
    • Live Streaming
      • Live Stream Program Guide
    • Video
    • Music
      • Special Concerts LIVE
      • Nashville Music LIVE
      • Watch: Music Videos
      • Watch: Classical Concert Series
      • Watch: Music Making
    • Books
      • BOOKS To LOVE ❤️
    • PLAYLISTS
      • Biodoc: Life Inspired
      • Biodoc: Super Dogs
      • Comedy: People & Phones
      • Comedy of Manners: Finding #Love
      • espnW Series: Run Mama Run
      • Fright Night Movies
      • Visual Soundscapes: Planet Earth
  • Live Stream Program Guide

Super Star Sorcery

October 26, 2019 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

Deep space exploration and images captured via space telescope are nothing short of extraordinary as ever-improving technology enables scientists to reach farther toward distant planets and other galaxies.  The wispy blue Witch Head Nebula (aka IC 2118) is just one example of many discoveries, but probably best represents the magic and mysteries of space and our fascination with the supernatural.

 

The Witch Head Nebula is a reflection nebula located in the Eridanus constellation.
NASA/Gary Stevens, prepared by Adrian Pingstone PD

Witch Head Nebula is located about 900 light years from Earth (FYI: 1 ly = 9+ trillion km/6 trillion m) within Eridanus (a large constellation appearing as a “river” in the southern hemisphere).  “Nebula” is the name for an accumulation of dust, gases and other material that form into clouds within our galaxy and beyond. There are lots of them out there and several different types, and it’s believed Witch Head is an ancient “supernova remnant” nebula, meaning it was created by a massive star explosion.  The wicked witch profile is created by the illumination of this cosmic cloud by Rigel, a nearby supergiant, blue-white star in the Orion constellation, that’s a couple hundred thousand times brighter than the Sun.  

 

“When you make the finding yourself – even if you’re the last person on Earth to see the light – you’ll never forget it.” — Carl Sagan (1934 – 1996)

 

Astronomy is the oldest of the natural sciences, and amateur astronomers have made significant contributions to understanding the universe with observational study and discoveries.  Astronomy is also a cool hobby, enjoyed and shared by people at all levels throughout the world.  Learn more about getting started from this NASA website info page.  If you’d just like to look through a telescope or do some stargazing on a clear, dark night, search for community college classes, astronomy club special event ‘star parties’, and public viewing nights at observatories and state and national parks. Find HERE a list of US national park night sky programs as well as tips on where/how to find stars at home, around town and in the wilderness.  Shop for Telescopes and Stargazing Guide Book * to learn more and start searching the night sky.

Information/Resources:
NASA:  The Witch Head Nebula
Wikipedia:  IC 2118, Astronomy

If you can't find a dark sky to see the stars., the next best thing is to watch the videos on the On2In2™ Night Skies channel

Watch amazing stargazing images captured on film by talented photographers⇒
“If Stars Could Speak” showcases time-lapse video ‘Awake’ by Zach Rogers, and see more from unique vantage points using different cameras and methods via the Watch:  Night Skies video channel and the Cosmos Channel.

 

Since its launch 20 years ago and 2004 Saturn orbit insertion, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft has provided images that have led to significant discoveries.You can see Saturn in the evening sky without a telescope

 

 

 

 

It's easy and fun to join On2In2 social networkWe’d love to hear from you! If you’d like to comment on this article, join the conversation, or share your inspiration, and you have not yet registered as an On2In2™ playmaker, please sign up via the ‘Engage page’.  Don’t worry, it’s pretty quick and easy (unless you’re a robot).

 

 

Get more fun delivered straight to your inbox. It's easy to sign up for the On2In2™ newsletter.

Image of Witch Head Nebula is courtesy of NASA/Gary Stevens, picture prepared by Adrian Pingstone PD

*This page includes an affiliate link to a shop website. If you purchase a product or service directly through the link, Zeester Media LLC may earn a small commission. This in no way affects the price you pay for the purchase.

Filed Under: Cosmos, Science Tagged With: Astronomy, Photography, Stargazing

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Log In/Log Out

LOOKING For Something?

FREE 2 WATCH: Downhill Runs

Mountain and snow make for fun skiing. Watch the best videos of winter fun on skies and boards.

FREE 2 WATCH: Love Stories ❤️

Finding love in a candy box of assorted chocolates

FREE 2 WATCH: Planet Earth Video Series

Watching nature videos can take you away from the stress of the day and bring on an feeling of happiness.

FREE 2 WATCH – Creatives @ PLAY

In this collection of video documentaries, artists reveal thoughts and feelings about their work and living a creative life.
https://youtu.be/DLgDKeih7hQ
Find recommended titles from the book lovers at On2In2™ Book Buzz Club.

FIND YOUR FUN

Alternative Apps Art Arts & Crafts Astronomy Baking Bicycle Biography Birding Boating California Concert Dance Digital Art Documentary Drinks Ecotourism Entertainment Environment Exploration Folk FREEBIES Genealogy Glacier Hiking Humor Indie Jazz Music Ocean Photography Planet Earth Poetry R&B Recipe Rock Skiing Soul Space Travel Stargazing Surfing Tennis Thriller Wildlife Wine

FUN FOR YOUR INBOX

Footer

MUCH 2 SEE

  • Watch: Cosmos Channel
  • Watch: Natural Beauty
  • Watch: Night Skies

THINGS 2 DO

  • Create
  • Cultivate
  • Challenge

PLACES 2 GO

  • Travel
  • Adventure
  • Watch: Destinations

PEOPLE 2 MEET

  • Biodoc: Life Inspired
  • Insight
  • Play With Us

FOOD & DRINKS

  • Cookery
  • Gastronomy
  • Watch: Agrarian Pursuits

JUST LAUGHS

  • Comedy of Manners: Finding #Love
  • Comedy: People & Phones
  • Dog Speak

Copyright © 2021 · Zeester Media LLC· Privacy & Security· Terms