Hubble Transmission a Perfect 10

A glitch with the Hubble Space Telescope has been corrected, and the transmitted photo of the aftermath of two galaxies colliding to form what looks like a "Perfect 10."

The Hubble was brought back online two days ago and aimed its primary camera--the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2)--at these colliding galaxies named Arp 17.

Scientists hope the Hubble will now be in operation through 2013.

Sunset at the North Pole

Arlene, one of my co-bloggers over on www.takeittothestars.blogspot.com sent me this pic and I was so amazed, I had to post it. I love the starkness, and the surprising contrast between and juxtaposition of the sun and the moon.

Wouldn't this be a great inspiration for an alien landscape?

Thanks Arlene. I'm going to add this to my collection of Favorite Sci-Fi Photos. I think it qualifies. :)

My Favorite Photos With a Sci-Fi Theme: #1

#1 The Whirlpool Galaxy

I look at this photo and the words of the late, great Carl Sagan immediately come to mind..."Billions and billions of stars." When I see this image I am in awe of the massive spiral arms, the myriad suns and worlds it contains, and the immensity of space embraced by this gorgeous galaxy.

My Favorite Photos With a Sci-Fi Theme: #2

#2 The Sombrero Galaxy

Galaxies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, not always the familiar spiral-armed swirl. The Sombrero Galaxy is one of my favorite non-conformists. Looking at this image and thinking of the light years of space this galaxy spans is truly mind-boogling. The glowing center is mysterious and grand.

My Favorite Photos With a Sci-Fi Theme: #3

#3 The Orion Nebula

If the name sounds familiar, that's probably because Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn made this space phenomenon famous with a battle scene that took place in its midst.

My Favorite Photos with a Sci-Fi Theme: #4

#4 Moonshadows

This view of a be-spotted Jupiter (more spottier than usual, I should say) is a result of several of the gas giant's moons in the foreground or leaving their shadow on the face of the planet. Love the pastels in this pic, too. Jupiter normally resembles tomato-soup-with-milk-just-added.

My Favorite Photos With a Sci-Fi Theme: #5

#5 The Eskimo Nebula

It isn't too hard to see how this nebula got its name. It resembles a face peering out from inside a fur-lined hood. The Eskimo Nebula is the glowing remains of a dying star blasted outward from its center. Remarkable.

My Favorite Photos with a Sci-Fi Theme: #6

#6 A Death Star Galaxy

A so-called Death Star Galaxy blasts a ray of energy at its neighbor. This violent cosmic event is a prelude to mass murder. If such a Death Star Galaxy were to blast the Milky Way, chances are all life on Earth would be destroyed. Sobering thought.

My Favorite Photos With a Sci-Fi Theme: #7

#7 Where Stars Are Born

A glimpse at a region of space where young stars are in the process of being created. Those bright blue dots are new stars. Looks more like an artist's rendering than a photograph, doesn't it? A truly awe-inspiring sight.

My Favorite Photos With a Sci-Fi Theme: #8

#8 The Mysterious Red Square

Nothing to do with the Earth-based site of Russian fame, the Mysterious Red Square is a mystery--the most geometrical object ever photographed in space. It is beautiful to behold. Reminds me a bit of those yarn God's Eyes that were so popular as wall hangings in the 80s.

My Favorite Photos With a Sci-Fi Theme: #9

#9. Pluto and Charon and Hydra and Nix, oh my!

A glimpse of the farthest known planets in our solar system, Pluto and Charon, though Pluto's identity as a planet or planetoid is under debate. The two smaller dots are Pluto's recently discovered moons, named Hydra and Nix. Now I ask you, if Pluto has two moons of its own, shouldn't it be granted recognition as a full-blown planet?

My Favorite Photos with a Sci-Fi Theme

#10. Comet and Windmill

A 1997 shot of the Hale-Bopp comet. What a spectacular photo! To have been standing in the photographer's shoes seeing this in person must have been an amazing experience. Humbling, but amazing. I love how the windmill gives the comet scale in the night sky. It's massive.

This photo leads off a series of ten of my favorite photos with a science-fiction theme. I'll try to post one each day. Stay tuned.