This acrylic image shows the Cat’s Paw Nebula (upper right) and the Lobster Nebula (lower left). They are located 5,500 and 8,000 lightyears from Earth respectively in the constellation Scorpius and were discovered by British astronomer John Herschel in 1837.
This nebula is home to several gigantic stars; one of which was thought possibly to be the most massive on record, approaching 300 solar masses (the standard unit of mass in astronomy and is equal to the mass of the Sun). However, it was later discovered to contain at least three stars of near 100 solar masses each, making them among the more substantial stars on record.
Both formations are nurseries for blazing young stars that emit hydrogen gas glowing with a deep-red brilliant ultraviolet light, giving the whole area a dramatic richness that is enhanced against a backdrop of dark clouds of dust. This is brilliantly recreated with our special acrylic processes that give real depth and dynamic colour to this image, enabling you to enjoy your very own ancient sky show.
The eerie and alien-like circular features in the image are due to the optics and reflections created by the telescope and camera.
However, you don’t have to tell your friends that…
Pigment inks on 271gsm satin paper, professionally hand-bonded onto a 5mm cast acrylic panel. Currently available in five sizes:
- 60″ (w) × 37.5″ (h)
- 48″ (w) × 30″ (h)
- 36″ (w) × 22.5″ (h)
- 24″ (w) × 15″ (h)
- 12″ (w) × 7.5″ (h)
Each acrylic print comes ready to hang.
FREE delivery.
Credit: ESO
