N11: Star Clouds of the LMC

From Images 108

Massive stars, abrasive winds, mountains of dust, and energetic light sculpt one of the largest and most picturesque regions of star formation in the Local Group of Galaxies. Known as N11, the region is visible on the upper right of many images of its home galaxy, the Milky Way neighbor known as the Large Magellanic Clouds (LMC). The above image was taken for scientific purposes by the Hubble Space Telescope and reprocessed for artistry by an amateur to win the Hubble's Hidden Treasures competition. Although the section imaged above is known as NGC 1763, the entire N11 emission nebula is second in LMC size only to 30 Doradus. Studying the stars in N11 has shown that it actually houses three successive generations of star formation. Compact globules of dark dust housing emerging young stars are also visible around the image. (APOD)

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February brings a renewed optimism as Jupiter rectifies its retrograde, but mixed fortunes play out as Saturn and Mercury's retrogrades start on the 18th and 23rd of February. Plan the first half of the year ahead carefully, otherwise delusions and deception plague one for months to come... ~VirginAstrology

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Tweet: 2013 = year of snake. The snake has a mixed reputation in China. It is associated with wisdom, beauty & intelligence but also pride & anger.

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Article from The Times of India:
‘Mahakumbh is the festival of astrology’

ALLAHABAD: "The science of astrology needs to be established at the global level, claimed Mahamadaleshwar Pilot Baba on Thursday. He was speaking at the Jyotish MahaKumbh, the international astrological conference being organised at the MahaKumbh.

"It is high time we took this science to the global platform so that more people benefit from it," he said and went on to add that astrology exists from the times of 'Kaal Gadna' which adds strength to the argument that astrology came even before the mythical Kumbh.

His argument also found support from Shankaracharya Sumerupeeth Narendrananad Saraswati, who was also present as guest of honor at the event and went on to add that apart from explaining the importance of astro-science, people should also be explained the relation between Kumbh and astrology and how it is actually the festival of astrology. He urged people to support the cause of restoring the purity of Ganga river.

Detailing the proceedings of the day, organiser Dr Ram Naresh Tripathi said a number of noted astrologers from different parts of the country spoke at the occasion and highlighted the importance of astrology quoting from their research. Dr Alaknanda Sharma from Rajasthan talked about the existence of Kumbh, while Dr Bhagwat Sharan Shukla from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) discussed its history. Vinay Jha and Dr Vipin Pandey and Preeti from Jaipur presented their papers on traditional astrology and mental power respectively.

Over 25 research scholars from BHU's astrology department participated in the event conducted by Avinash Rai and Brajendra Mishra. On Februray 8, the last day of the conference, Mahant Gyandas, president of the Akhada Parishad will grace the occasion with his presence, where the remaining discussion on Tantra, Yog and Jyotish will take place. Astrologers participating in the mega event have been offering free consultancy to the pilgrims for the past four days and have so far met over 1,000 visitors, including foreigners who find the science interesting."
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