Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2015 April 2
See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

The Owl and the Galaxy
Image Credit & Copyright: Christoph Kaltseis - Poem: Apologies to Edward Lear

Explanation:

The Owl and the Galaxy sail these skies
With blue and yellow star.

They go together beneath the Big Dipper,
If you wonder where they are.

The Galaxy's light shines through the night,
Ten millions of light-years away.

But never fear the Owl is near,
Inside the Milky Way.

A cosmic shroud, the Owl is proud,
its central star a must.

And the spiral Galaxy lies on edge
To show off all its dust,
Its dust,
Its dust,
To show off all its dust.

Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space

< | Archive | Submissions | Search | Calendar | RSS | Education | About APOD | Discuss | >

Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices
A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.