Stellar Systems Collection

Southern Milky Way from Vela to Centaurus with Crux & Carina
The southern Milky Way from Vela (at right) to Centaurus (at left), with the False Cross at left, the true Southern Cross at right of centre, and Alpha and Beta Centauri at left

The area around the head of Scorpius, including the bright star Antares at lower left of centre and the dark lanes leading to the star Rho Ophiuchi

Scorpius with parts of Lupus and Ara regions of the southern Milky Way
All of Scorpius, plus parts of Lupus and Ara regions of the southern Milky Way. Along the Milky Way are numerous nebulae, including the False Comet area, the Cats Paw area

Nebulosity in Cassiopeia showing NGC 7822 and IC 1805
Nebulosity in Cassiopeia showing NGC 7822 (above center), and IC 1805 (at left)

The Coalsack and Jewel Box Cluster in the Southern Cross
The Coalsack and Jewel Box Cluster area on the east side of Crux, the Southern Cross. The Coal Sack, which to the eye looks like a large dark patch, under photography breaks up into small patches

This artists conception depicts the Kepler-10 star system, located about 560 light-years away near the Cygnus and Lyra constellations. Kepler has discovered two planets around this star

Southern Milky Way with Eta Carinae, Crux and Alpha & Beta Centauri
Area of southern Milky Way containing Eta Carinae, Crux and Alpha & Beta Centauri

Nebulosity in the constellations Cassiopeia and Cepheus showing IC 1396 (at right), and IC 1805 (at left)

Antares and Scorpius Head area with Rho Ophiuchi nebulosity field oriented equatorially

An artists illustration of the Cygnus X-1 system. Cygnus X-1 is a so-called stellar-mass black hole, a class of black holes that comes from the collapse of a massive star

Widefield view of the southern constellations of Centaurus and Crux
Widefield view of Alpha and Beta Centauri stars in the southern constellation of Centaurus, along with the Southern Cross in the constellation Crux

A Jupiter-like planet soaking up the scorching rays of its nearby sun
This artists concept shows a Jupiter-like planet soaking up the scorching rays of its nearby sun. The Spitzer Space Telescope used its heat-seeking infrared eyes to figure out that a gas-giant planet

The colorful region around Antares in Scorpius and blue Rho Ophiuchi in Ophiuchus
The colorful region around yellow Antares (bottom) in Scorpius and blue Rho Ophiuchi (top) in Ophiuchus. The nebulae are largely reflection nebulae

A planet and its moon resisting the relentless heat of the giant orange sun Pollux. Every sun has a violent cycle in which solar activity increases and the planets around it must face its wrath

Head of Scorpius with celestial deep sky objects

Artists concept of Kepler-186f orbiting a distant star
The artists concept depicts Kepler-186f, the first validated Earth-size planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone

A binary star system
A binary star is a system where two stars orbit a common center of mass and sometimes can engulf their neighbor

Southern Milky Way
The spectacular area of the southern Milky Way from the Eta Carinae Nebula at right, to the Southern Cross at center, and the twin stars of Alpha and Beta Centauri at left

A double star system as seen from a circling planet
A double star system, one star is devouring the other as seen from a circling planet

Artists concept of the birth place of a star system
A conceptual image where the stars are red along with the planets and nearby nebula, which is the birth place of these star systems

Widefield view of the constellation Cassiopeia with nearby deep sky objects
Widefield view of the constellation Cassiopeia showing many deep sky objects, including open clusters and nebulae

Westerlund 2 (Gum 29) star cluster in Carina

One denser star using its gravity to engulf another nearby star
The act of one denser star using its gravity to engulf another nearby star is called stellar cannibalism

A hypothetical planet orbiting a red dwarf star. The planet is frozen because red dwarfs are small, cool stars

Illustration of two stars that have moved so close that each becomes tidally warped
This is an artists interpretation (inspired by an earlier Chesley Bonestell painting which appeared in Beyond The Solar System)

Mosaic of the Carina Nebula and Crux area in the southern sky

Artists concept of Cygnus X-1, a luminous x-ray source in the constellation Cygnus
In 1964 a luminous x-ray source in the sky caught the attention of astronomers. This source contained the first black hole discovered

Zeta Piscium is a binary star system consisting of a red giant and a white dwarf. The latter is drawing in material from its companion

A comparison of several different solar systems

An eclipsing binary star known as Algol, or Beta Persei
Algol (Beta Persei) is an eclipsing binary. Algol means The Ghoul in Arabic, and refers to its regular brightening and dimming

A compact object, or a black hole, is seen ripping off gas from its sun-like companion that has filled its Roche Lobe. Gas from the star (called the donor)

The Southern Cross and Coalsack Nebula in Crux
The Southern Cross and Coalsack Nebula in the constellation Crux, plus associated star clusters in and around Crux, such as NGC 4755

This planet is home to the capital of Asellus Secundus. Giant cities light the planet on the night side

A scene on a distant moon orbiting a gas giant in a trinary star system
This image depicts a scene on a distant moon orbiting a gas giant in a trinary star system. Simple, large plant-like organisms loom among the rocky seashore

Westerlund 2 star cluster in Carina
Westerlund 2 (Gum 29), star cluster in Carina. Westerlund 2 is remarkable for the presence of one of the most massive stellar systems known, WR20a, seen as an eclipsing binary system

A binary star system consisting of a red giant and a white dwarf, seen from a hypothetical planet

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Stellar Systems: A Captivating Journey through the Celestial Tapestry Embark on a celestial voyage as we explore the wonders of stellar systems, starting with the mesmerizing area around the head of Scorpius. Nestled amidst Scorpius, Lupus, and Ara regions of the southern Milky Way lies a spectacle that leaves stargazers in awe. Venturing further into Cassiopeia, our gaze is captured by nebulosity showcasing NGC 7822 and IC 1805. These ethereal formations paint an enchanting picture against the backdrop of infinite space. As we traverse through constellations like Southern Cross, we encounter captivating sights such as The Coalsack and Jewel Box Cluster. Their juxtaposition creates a breathtaking display that ignites our imagination. Delving deeper into cosmic artistry, an artist's conception unveils the Kepler-10 star system—a testament to nature's boundless creativity. Its intricate design reminds us of the vastness and diversity within our universe. The Southern Milky Way beckons us next, revealing its celestial treasures—Eta Carinae, Crux, Alpha & Beta Centauri—like precious gems adorning a velvet sky. Nebulosity in Cassiopeia and Cepheus adds another layer of mystique to this cosmic panorama. Antares takes center stage alongside Rho Ophiuchi nebulosity in Scorpius Head area—an enthralling dance between fiery reds and deep blues unfolds before our eyes, and is here that beauty meets intensity in perfect harmony. Cygnus X-1 system invites us to witness its splendor through an artist's illustration—a glimpse into a world where science fiction becomes reality. This enigmatic depiction leaves room for wonderment about what lies beyond our current understanding. A widefield view reveals Centaurus and Crux constellations stretching across the night sky—an expansive canvas painted with stars forming patterns that have captivated humanity for millennia.