Picture of the Day - June 16, 2009

"Center of the Milky Way"

Photo courtesy of NASA.                     (Click on the photo for a larger view) We humans have been gazing at the faint light of the Milky Way on dark, starry nights for eons, but until recently we could see very little detail through all the dust and gas swirling around the galactic center. But thanks to the powerful infrared cameras aboard the Spitzer Space Telescope, we can now see numerous stars that heretofore had always been cloaked from our view. Like all galaxies, the Milky Way is absolutely gigantic by "earth" standards. In fact, just the relatively "small" section shown in today's picture is a mind-boggling 900 light years across! God's creations never cease to amaze!     Visitor Comments... Name: Phyllis Helton Town: Bristol, VA Yes, truly amazing. Stunning!!!     Name: Ed Morrison Town: Dunwoody, GA Sights like this make us feel so small and insignificant. Great image of the center of our wonderful galaxy!   Comment on today's picture  |  View previous "Pictures Of The Day"  |  Submit a photo Why I publish the "Picture Of The Day"