Photo # 1 (Sept 2009)
NGC
1097: SPIRAL GALAXY WITH A CENTRAL EYE
Oh Peace, where are you?
Must you be elusive so,
Defying the best of those who strive
To bring you into being?
How long must well you play
The game of hide and seek
With such a sad and waiting world?
Or be a promise falsely made
By corrupted politicians of the Earth?
Are you deafened by the sabers loudly rattled
And the wrenching roar of blasting bombs?
Do then you tightly close your ears?
I seek an answer, Peace, as do the
Others so enwrapped in anguished pain!
Then softly, gently, Peace did answer then,
"If you would give me life, I must first
Be placed within your heart and soul,
There to live and be a part of you,
Yes, each of you, must give me Life
And Breath within your very core,
For then, and only then,
Can I emerge in all my strength
And love to change the world
From darkness into light and peace,
The choice is yours.
- Roger S. Pile, PhD
Credit:
NASA, JPL-Caltech, SINGS Team (SSC)
What's
happening at the center of spiral galaxy NGC 1097? No one is sure, but it
likely involves a supermassive black hole. Matter falling in from a bar of
stars and gas across the center is likely being heated by an extremely
energetic region surrounding the central black hole. From afar, the entire
central region appears in the above false-color infrared image as a mysterious
eye. Near the left edge and seen in blue, a smaller companion galaxy is wrapped
in the spectacular spiral arms of the large spiral, lit in pink by glowing
dust. Currently about 40 thousand light-years from the larger galaxy's center,
the gravity of the companion galaxy appears to be reshaping the larger galaxy
as it is slowly being destroyed itself. NGC 1097 is located about 50 million
light years away toward the constellation of the furnace (Fornax).
Where is the eye of conscience on our world today? Have you let your elected representative know what's important to you? Pick and issue: Environment... Climate... Pollution/ recycling... Healthcare...
Each of us can make a difference in this world!
- Dan Benor, MD
