Halloween Hoot
updated: Oct 31, 2012, 8:49 AM

By Edhat Subscriber

In the spirit of Halloween pareidolia (seeing familiar things in random patterns), here is an image from tonight of a star cluster officially named NGC457, but mostly known as the Owl Cluster. The bright halos are artifacts of the telescope and video camera used. Some people also see ET (from the movie), or an F-18 on afterburner. The main stars of the cluster are about 9,800 light years away, so it really is a wise *old* owl, but still well within our galaxy.

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 337528P	2012-10-31 11:05 AM
What I think is cool (besides you posting this for us to enjoy) is that it really looks like an owl! Most constellations take a lot more "creative thinking" to see the Greek hero/ine or animal it is named for. Thanks for showing us this. I love it.
COMMENT 337531	2012-10-31 11:05 AM
That's really cool. I definitely see ET and the F-18. I'll be sure to look up tonight. Thanks for sharing the info.
COMMENT 337556P	2012-10-31 12:23 PM
At first glance I thought it was Number 5 from "Short Circuit".
SEEDLADY	2012-10-31 12:38 PM
where in the night sky do we look for it?
MACPUZL	2012-10-31 04:02 PM
You won't be able to see it without a telescope, but this time of year it's a favorite target at the public astronomy events in town - just look in the Edhat Events. If you have a scope, it's in Cassiopeia at right ascension 01 19 and declination+58 20. We'll be showing it to trick-or-treaters in our driveway if the clouds behave.
COMMENT 337902	2012-11-01 11:19 AM
I'm thinking it's Wall-E. :)
AUNTIE S.	2012-11-01 05:20 PM
Thank you for this beautiful Halloween picture. I agree, it's so easy to see the owl.
COMMENT 338213P	2012-11-01 08:58 PM
Hoo?!

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